John Flora
January 11, 2018 - March 7, 2014

"I'm so very sorry to hear of John's passing i remember John fondly for teaching me the clarinet also for his smiling face whenever i was in Hyvee he will be greatly missed.... My heartfelt prayers go out to his family..."

"My heartfelt condolences to the family of John. He taught my children clarinet and because of him they enjoyed music. His smile and words of encouragement kept my children into music for a long time. Whenever we talk about John, we all smile. He is one awesome person. So glad to have known him. May he rest in peace in his eternal home."

"I worked w / John at Smith Music in Marshalltown from 1981-1983. He was a great friend and an even better person. John had a great sense of humor and, more importantly, he had the ability to laugh at himself! He had a great rapport with his students he taught in the basement of Smith Music. We had a great "faculty" there whom I all miss very much! He made me a stable for a nativity set that my cousin had made me-both men are now gone, but I think of John every year as I set up that nativity set. Many fond memories-he will be missed!! My prayers and condolences go out to his family-Rest in peace, my friend~Jim Miller, Ames, IA"

"I too remember Mr. Flora and the states song Nifty Fifty!! I also remember tinikling and the fun we had. Rest in Peace Mr. Flora."

"Cyndy Howard Clement John and I taught together in Grundy Center in the mid 70's. My students loved going to music class because of him and he could certainly liven up a teacher's lounge! I moved away and then landed in Marshalltown years later. What a surprise to see an old friend behind the meat counter at HyVee., HyVee and their slogan of "a smile in every aisle" certainly hired well with him! We could connect regularly as I shopped, and he would always ask, "How much longer until retirement?" That retirement finally happened for me and we have since moved to Arizona. Because of that, I will not be able to attend the memorial service, but send my condolences to the family. Rest in peace, sweet John. "

"He is a sweet man. And me and my husband, Will miss him slot thoughts and prayers with you all."

"He was a great and patient teacher. He taught me to play the French horn, by ear, as I had difficulty with reading music. Now that's a teacher! Prayers to his family!"

"John was my middle school music teacher and also taught me piano lessons here in Grundy Center. He was one of my favorite teachers, and whenever my friends and I reminisce, a Mr.Flora story will usually come up. He tried to teach us some blues/soul with a song called "Steam Heat" and all of us being super WASP children, it was a flop. But it was fun! He was a good man."

"Mr. Flora w as a great teacher, he even made summer lessons fun! He w as an inspiration to many of his students. I want to express my deepest sympathy to his family."

"Mr. Flora was my elementary music teacher, in Grundy Center. He made music class fun! I remember singing John Jacob Jinglehimmerscmidt, Steam Heat, Too Pooped To Pop, and many more. Every GC elementary kid from the mid '70's can probably still recite all 50 states in alphabetical order, and that is thanks to Mr. Flora! My condolences to to family."

"John was such a nice man to have the honor of working with. He always had a smile on his face. Even when he was having his own health battles, he always cared and would ask how you were doing. He made an impact on a lot people and will be missed by all of those whose life he touched. It was a honor to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

"John was a wonderful musician and shared it with all my children teaching piano, trumpet, drums and saxophone. My kids would not have made it as far as they did with their instruments without him. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family at this time and all his students who loved him. "

"My condolences to John 's family and close friends. I always thought of him as a very kind and caring person, especially in how he treated the young people he taught, mentored, and supported in other ways. Two of my sons not only took music lessons from him, they were part of his annual corn detasseling crew. There was never any doubt that they benefited much more from both of these associations with John than just gained musical skills or any summer income. A friend of mine, whose daughter was also one of his students, and I often agreed that one hour of paid music lessons with John was as much therapeutic as instructional. He was such a positive and affirming man. He will be missed. Nancy Peterson"

"My heartfelt condolences to all of John's family at this time as the loss of a special guy fully sinks in. John's impact on my life as a music teacher, mentor and great friend has been profound. He will be sorely missed by so many. How lucky we all were to have him in our lives!"

"I cried when I heard about Mr. Flora's passing. I was thinking about him just a few weeks ago, and now I wish I had tried to reach out. I remember Mr. Flora as a teacher in Grundy Center. He used to tease us back then (around 1977) by keeping a wooden paddle on the wall -- he never hit anyone with it, but it was a really cute deterrent, long ago, in different days. I was in kindergarten and first grade back then, and my other memory of that time was this really strange clock (?) that would laugh and stick out its tongue, then spit. I vaguely remember him asking another teacher to hold her hand under its mouth, and then he started it. It was probably one of the strangest memories I have from my childhood, but the way it made everyone in school laugh probably made it stick in my mind. He had a really fun sense of humor. A few years later, as an elementary student in Marshalltown, when I was struggling to learn Trombone, my mom hired Mr. Flora to tutor me. I learned a lot from him. I remember studying from him at Smith Music, and sometimes at his home. He was always very kind, and used to give me this funny evil-eye stare when I said or did something that merited it. I enjoyed his teaching so much, and once he even helped me perform a solo, accompanied by him on the piano, at a Junior High concert. I found that musical sheet last year while going through old boxes, and kept it. The song was named, "Diamond." Mr. Flora, I'm sorry that I hadn't spoken to you in so long, and even though I live far away in South Korea, and my life has taken a far different path than I ever expected, I've never forgotten you. Thank-you for your teaching, your kindness, and bringing happiness and musical success to an easily-frustrated young man. I'm so sorry I can't be there for the funeral. I'll never forget you."

"So Sorry to hear of John's passing. I never got to HyVee as much as I would have liked but always enjoyed seeing John. John was a sweet man. Had a good heart. JoAnn"

"John was one of our favorite people at HyVee and always looked for him when we went to town. so sad to hear of the loss. i know there so many that will miss him he always had time to stop and visit and always had a huge smile for everybody. we will miss him, won't be the same at the meat counter' the weatherly family from eldora,ia arch, marge and shawn"

"Worked at HyVee with John for several years. John did not know a stranger. Everyone near him got that great smile and fun conversation. He made a real difference in many peoples lives. Thanks for being my friend buddy! You will be missed. Bobb "

"I remember john as a customer when working at Drugtown, then seeing him and working with him at hyvee, always with a smile enjoying life, now its time to celebrate his life , he will be missed for sure. jeff & cindy larson, goodyear, az"

""Johnny Cake" as I called him started at HyVee a week after I did. He always told people "Anni Cakes" taught me everything I know. Any time I went into HyVee once I no longer worked there I would find him and give him a hug. Even if it meant waiting in line for customers to be served! I'm saddened that I will not be able to pay my respects as I did with Bernice and Ann but "Johnny Cake" always knew I loved him!"

"I did not know John through either music lessons or Hy-Vee, but instead family. I see that God had a great purpose for him in using his personality and musical talents to bring joy and knowledge to others. He had quite the sense of humor and shared some good stories. His family and friends can be thankful that he was blessed with 72 years on earth and that they were able to make so many great memories with him. Our sincere condolences, Eric, Stephanie, Ryan, and Lauren Schumacher"

"I hadn't seen John in some time. I used to work with him at Hy-Vee, back in the meat department (some years back now), and he always had the most encouraging words to give whenever somebody needed a boost. After I left Marshalltown, I didn't get to see him very much, but my mom always told me that he was asking about me, and wanted to know how I was doing. So, it was pretty hard to take when my mom called to tell me of his departure from this world. Of course I wish I would have seen him again, or kept in better touch, but alas that's not possible. It is with the most deepest regards to this family, that I send my condolences. May you find comfort in knowing that he is in a better place, playing music with the angels! Sincerely, Andy Graves"

"So sorry to hear of John's passing. I worked with his sister, Ann and got to know him and his family. When my children were in school we visited his music store uptown. He will be greatly missed! Our prayers are with the family . Hollywood & Shirley Warthen"

"I worked with John at Hy-Vee for a few years. What a nice guy. Always smiling and had a kind word. He will be missed! Thoughts and prayers to you all! Linda Ozbun"

"I always looked forward to seeing John at HyVee. He always had a smile . A lot of our children took music lessons from John. He was gifted with his music talent. My sympathy goes out to the entire family. Becky & Gene I'm thinking of you both at this difficult time."