John L. “Jack” Kennedy, 88, of Epworth, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 12:20 a.m. at Ennoble Manor in Dubuque, Iowa. He was a man who loved life so much he was afraid to let go.

Friends & relatives of Jack may call from 2 to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 1:30 p.m. They may also call after 9 a.m., Monday, July 23, 2018 at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 23, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa, with Rev. Michael Schueller presiding. Burial will be held in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa, with full military honors afforded by the Epworth John White American Legion Post #650.

He was born April 12, 1930 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of George and Lillian (Haigh) Kennedy. He attended Prescott and Jefferson School in Dubuque, Iowa. On November 27, 1948 he was united in marriage to May Lou “Moomie” Schmitt at the Priest house in Galena, Illinois.

He was employed at the former Dubuque Packing Company until his retirement in 1980 and a member of International Union of Operating Engineers.

He was an avid bowler, a member of the 700 club and was very proud to have won a National Bowling Tournament. Jack loved the great outdoors! He enjoyed fishing, hunting, morel and agates searching, camping, spending time with family and friends singing around a campfire.

He was an army veteran having served in the Army in Germany during World War II; he later served in the Army National Guard unit.

He is survived by his wife May Lou “Moomie” Kennedy of Epworth, eight children, Jean (Steve) Ernst of Dubuque, Lily (Robert) Lange of Asbury, Mary Lou (Bill) Graham of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Dan Kennedy of Dubuque, Linda (Kevin) Goerdt, Lori (Phil) Kramer both of Epworth, Robert (Rianne) Kennedy of Dubuque, Tom Kennedy of Epworth; two daughters-in-law, RaeAnn Kennedy of Dubuque, and Val Grimm Kennedy of Farley; 26 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; one sister, Joan (Terry) Vosberg of Hazel Green, WI; two brothers, Milton “Sonny” (Rayetta) Gassman of Dubuque and Terry (Tammie) Gassman of Galena, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sons, John L. Kennedy II October 1984, Michael Kennedy on March 1990 and James A. Kennedy in February 1979; one daughter-in-law, Nancy Kennedy, four brothers, Robert D. Kennedy, George (LaVonne) Kennedy, Jerry (Joyce) Kennedy, Jim (Dean) Kennedy; two sisters, Jean (Duane) Langtimm and Juanita (Leo) Oswald.

The family would like to thank the Staff at Ennoble Manor and Hospice of Dubuque for the wonderful care and support they gave to Jack.

In lieu of flowers a John L. Kennedy Memorial fund has been established to purchase a bench to go on the Heritage Trail in memory of him.

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