John A. Kilburg, 89, of Bellevue, passed away on June 24 at Mill Valley Care Center, surrounded by his loving children after a two-year battle with Merkel cell carcinoma. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellevue. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue, with additional visitation on Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home prior to Mass. Private family burial with Military Honors conducted by the Bellevue American Legion Post #298 will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Andrew.

John was born December 23, 1936, on the Kilburg family farm west of Springbrook, the son of John H. and Mary (Weis) Kilburg, where he was raised with his three brothers and five sisters. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. On November 6, 1965, he married Sharel S. Schmidt at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Preston, Iowa. Together, they operated the same dairy farm where John was born, and they raised their six children there. For 89 years, John called the same farm home—a place that was much more than land, but a reflection of his life’s work, dedication, and heart. Farming was not simply his occupation; it was his passion and purpose. He took great pride in caring for the land and preserving the family farmland for generations to come. Through countless sunrises, long days, and changing seasons, he demonstrated the value of hard work and perseverance. His love for the farm shaped not only the land he cared for but also the family he raised, leaving behind lessons that will continue to grow for years to come. John was simple, humble, and loved nothing more than working on the family farm, slowing down only to enjoy his grandchildren. He never longed for anything materialistic. His legacy was one of faith, family, and hard work.

Survivors include his children, Paula (Dale) Michel of Springbrook, Iowa, Sandy Kilburg of Moline, Illinois, Brent (Lynn) Kilburg of Maquoketa, Iowa, Shelly Kilburg of Maquoketa, Iowa, Kristi (Joel) Wagner of Bellevue, Iowa, and Craig (Amy) Kilburg of Dubuque, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Christopher (Hannah) Brown, John (Adam) Finch, Anne and Paul Kilburg, Justin and Jacob (Hailey) Henning, Taylor (Tyler) McDermott, Alyssa Wagner, Brayden Kilburg, and Kylie Kilburg; and two great-grandchildren on the way. He is also survived by his siblings, Addie Kutsch, Elsie Moellers, Bill (Karen) Kilburg, Wayne (Lois) Kilburg, and Janice Portz; and his in-laws, Jan Schmidt, Pat Schmidt, Eldon (Valerie) Schmidt, and Leon (Deb) Schmidt.

John was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his father- and mother-in-law, Arthur and Loretta (Franzen) Schmidt; siblings and in-laws Norman (Darlene) Kilburg, Bernard “Red” Kutsch, Felix Moellers, Mary (Julius) Reuter, Emma (Bud) Schmidt, Bill Portz, Allan Schmidt, Ardo Schmidt, and Lyle Schmidt.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com or on the Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home & Cremation Service Facebook page.