A committal service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026 at Mt. Calvary Cemetery chapel where full military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #6.

John was born April 3, 1945, in Chicago, IL, the son of Clarence and Mae (Kotapis) Ley.

John graduated from Wahlert Catholic High School. He served in the United States Navy where he was stationed on the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War.

After his honorable discharge from the military, he worked as a Post Man in Dubuque until his retirement.

John was a member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing. In his free time, he enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Chicago White Sox, as well as hockey. He was also a fan of legal dramas, classic monster movies, and Perry Mason.

Survivors include his nephews, Donald (Carol Boleyn) Ley of Dubuque, Jeff (Barb Cox) Ley of Dubuque, Kenneth (Amy) Ley of Dubuque, and Ed Allen of Cottage Grove, WI; and four great-nephews, Noah, Jackson, Chris, and Travis.

John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenneth and Donald Sr. (Jean) Ley; one nephew, David Allen; and one niece, Linda Ley.

The family would like to thank John’s nurse, Juliette, for her care and support.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.