John G. “Rusty” Mehrl, age 101, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Ennoble Manor.  To celebrate Rusty’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Holy Spirit Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 2215 Windsor Avenue, with Fr. Raymond Burkle officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Rusty was born on June 1, 1925, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of John A. and Mary (Klinkhammer) Mehrl.

He graduated from Loras College with his Bachelor of Science Degree.  Rusty then attended St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana for 1 year and went back to Loras College for 1 year in the seminary program.  He honorably served his country from 1944 until 1947 in the U.S. Naval Aviation Program.  Rusty was employed as a teacher for a short time at Sacred Heart, but in 1966 he went flying full time.  He started flying for Beyer Aviation and retired from there in 1985.  After that he flew for various companies, including Merkel Engineers, until his final retirement in 2009.  Rusty was a faith filled man who read the Bible daily and was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was inducted into the Holy Family Hall of Fame.  He loved music.  His father taught him piano and he also took lessons from the Klein Music Academy in Dubuque.  Rusty loved being active, which contributed to his good, long, healthy life.  He enjoyed playing pool, hockey, basketball, sailing, canoeing, camping and riding his bicycle all over town.  Rusty was active in his community and was a member of the American Legion Dubuque Post 6, volunteered at local nursing homes, sang in the church choir and played the organ.  He was a humble, kind and hard working man who will be greatly missed!

Those left to cherish Rusty’s memory include his nieces and nephews.

Rusty was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Dr. William J. Mehrl, Sr. Martha Mehrl, Robert (Jane) Mehrl and Martin (Shirley) Mehrl.

Rusty’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Ennoble Manor for their wonderful care.

Cards and memorials in Rusty’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. John “Rusty” Mehrl Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com