John D. Tracey, 89, of Riverbend Retirement Community and formerly of Epworth, Iowa, passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Unity Point Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa surrounded by his family.

Friends and relatives of John may call from 10 to noon, Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa where services for John will be held at 12:30 p.m., in Farley, Iowa with Rev. Michael Schueller officiating.  Assisting Deacon will be Joe Schockemoehl.  Burial will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Farley, Iowa, with full military honors afforded by the Amvets Post #13.  The Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa is assisting the family.,

He was born October 6, 1935, in Farley, Iowa, son of Hugh and Irene (Becker) Tracey. He is a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School in Farley, Iowa.  He then attended a Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, and later received his Graduate degree from Buena Vista University.  He owned and operated the restaurant “The End Gate” in Worthington, Iowa while in college.

On May 17, 1958 he was united in marriage to Elaine Weydert at St. John the Baptist in Peosta, Iowa.

John ran the family farm for three years.  He was then employed at General Motors Diesel Division in Chicago, IL and Atlanta, GA.  He was later employed as the Instructor and coordinator of instruction at the Advances Technology Center in Indian Hills in Ottumwa, Iowa.

He is a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army for two years.  He was a member of Amvets Post #13 of Epworth, Iowa, a member of the Farley Knights of Columbus Council #2001, a member of the 4th Degree Dubourg Assembly #1573 of Dubuque, and a member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Farley, Iowa.

John was quite quick witted, he always loved to entertain and was the life of the party.  He lived by his motto it was never too early for a whiskey.  He loved his grandchildren immensely…when they were with grandpa there were no rules.  Oh, you want to color on the roof, “grandpa will go get the ladder”.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine Tracey, of Cascade, IA; three children, Patrick (Vickie) Tracey of Dyersville, IA, Michael (Debbie) Tracey of Roselle, IL, and Colleen (Chris Dean) Sincox of Cedar Rapids, IA; one daughter-in-law, Denise Tracey of Worthington, IA; 14 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; one sister, Margie (Dick) Phillips of Austin, TX; one sister-in-law, Fay Tracey, and one brother-in-law, Fritz Fuhs of Tampa, FL.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Terry Tracey, his son-in-law, Steve Sincox; one grandchild, Nathan Tracey; his sister, Carol Fuhs and his brother, Jim Tracey.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com

The family would like to thank the staff of Riverbend Retirement Community, the Cascade Ambulance and the staff of Unity Point Finley Hospital.