John Edward Vesely, age 74, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on December 27, 2024, while visiting family in Portland, Maine.  He was surrounded by his loving wife, Gerri, and their three sons.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 5th at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with a wake service to be held at 3:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, January 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Columbkille Church in Dubuque with Fr. David Schatz officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

He was born on April 6, 1950, in Iowa City, Iowa.  John grew up in Williamsburg, Iowa where he graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1968.  After finishing his football career at Marshalltown Community College, he went on to graduate from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973 with a degree in Education.  He married Gerri Boge at St. Joseph Church on December 23, 1972, in Key West, Iowa.  John went on to serve as an educator and coach for 37 years.  He taught 5th grade, social studies, physical education, and became the elementary principal in the East Dubuque, Illinois School District.   He coached football, girls basketball, and baseball throughout the years and was inducted into the Northwestern Illinois Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.  He ended his education career in 2015 after serving as the principal at Bellevue Marquette.

Family and friends were very important to John.  He was a devoted son, husband, father, “Papa”, and brother.  He stayed close to his many friends from his school days to his newest friends he made in the community.

John had many talents, but one of the most interesting is that he could recall almost all of the athletes he coached names, jersey numbers and their graduation year.  He was a dedicated teacher, and he loved coaching.

John was a true Iowa Hawkeye Fan!  He bled the black and gold!  He and Gerri had season tickets for the football games for several years, but then started watching the games on TV with their dear friends.

Then there were his Chicago Cubs.  Win or lose, he followed them faithfully!  He even lived to watch them win the World Series!!! Holy Cow!!!

John was a very giving person.  Most recently he volunteered his time at the Dubuque Arboretum and Reflections in the Park.  As they say, “He would give the shirt off his back.”  His final gift was giving eyesight to two different people with his corneas.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gerri, of Dubuque; his children Ben (Celena) of Ankeny, Iowa, Craig (Kim) of Cumberland, Maine, and Dr. Beau (Katie) of Bedford, New Hampshire; his grandchildren: Samuel, Elijah, Sarah, Michael, Eleanor, Clara, Aria, and Teddy; his siblings Ellen Folkman, Tom (Sandy) Vesely, and Mary (Larry) Hopp.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Colleen Vesely.  Brother-in laws: Larry Folkman, Lee Haywood, Thomas Hantelmann, David Husted, Dan Boge, and Loras Boge.

In lieu of flowers, the family will establish a memorial fund that will be used toward charities that John has supported.

The family is grateful for all the prayers, support and kind thoughts that have been expressed during this difficult time.