"My deepest sympathy for your loss, Connie and family. John built a beautiful home for my parents. Dylon and Lola Hardin and was a dear high school friend to my brother Richard."
In loving memory of
John E. Cressey
December 5, 1935 - May 4, 2019
John E. Cressey, 83, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Saturday morning, May 4, 2019, at his home in Maquoketa, surrounded by his family.
A celebration of John's life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, May 10, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, where a 6:45 P.M. Masonic Service will be held. Burial will be at the Union Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa.
John Edward Cressey was born on December 5, 1935 in Maquoketa, Iowa to Harry Milton and Lucille (Bell) Cressey. He was a 1953 graduate of Maquoketa High School and then served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home to Maquoketa and married Connie M. Drumm on May 31, 1959 in Maquoketa, Iowa.
John was a lifelong carpenter. He got his start with G.L. Stockham and Son as a Carpenter's Helper from 1953 to 1955, and from 1958 to 1970 as a Carpenter Superintendent. On February 13, 1970 until 1990, he operated John E. Cressey Construction in Maquoketa where he was the Owner, Estimator and Superintendent. On January 1, 1990 Cressey & Associates was formed and John served as President until retiring in 2009.
John was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa where he had served on various committees including serving on the Building Committee for the church building on Wesley Drive, Chair of Trustees, and taught 8th grade Sunday School for many years. He also was a 55-year member of the Maquoketa Masonic Helion Lodge #36 AF & AM where he held roles of Warden, Secretary and past Worshipful Master.
John was always giving of his time, talent and resources. He had served on the Maquoketa Fire Department and Rescue Squad from 1979 to 1982 where he held the rank of Deputy Chief, served on the Maquoketa School Board from 1979 to 1991 where he was a past President, and was a former Maquoketa City Councilman serving from December 23, 1997 to December 30, 2005.
John enjoyed fishing, boating, horse care and riding, and tending their vineyard. He loved his dogs and had a special place in his heart for his Golden Retriever Lady!
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Connie M. Cressey of Maquoketa, IA; children, Brian (Andy) Cressey of Altoona, IA, and LuAnne (Tom) Yearwood of Maquoketa, IA; 6 grandchildren, Dr. Nicole (Lance) Cressey-Musselman of Gillette, WY, Ryann (Bradley) Cressey-Smith of Green Bay, WI, Shelby Yearwood of Maquoketa, IA, Christina (Todd) Isaacs of Pittsboro, IN, Amanda Kinzle of Greencastle, IN and Debra (Dean) Wyatte of Boulder, CO; 6 great-grandchildren, Ava and Granger Musselman, Jenna, Nathan and Hannah Isaacs, and Gregory Christopher; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald (Connie) Drumm of Coal Valley, IL; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Linda (Paul) Dupuis of Canada; and sister-in-law, Georgia Armstrong of Maquoketa, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Roger Cressey, sister-in-law Barbara Cressey and a brother-in-law Robert Drumm.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Hospice of Jackson County, First United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Online Condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.
Tributes
"Dear Connie, John did some great projects for Carl and me. And he was extremely helpful when needed! A wonderful man. Thinking of you and sending heartfelt sympathy to your whole family. Treasuring lots of memories of a kind and good person."
"Connie and family, please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss. Tom & Leslie Miller, Mentor, OH"
"Connie and family you have my condolences.....maquoketa lost one of its best ,,,, john taught me a lot about about carpentry and construction and i totally enjoyed working for him and Connie during in the summers of my college years,,,,building the country club and fire station were two of many great projects "
"Connie and family: I had the opportunity to work with John on several construction projects. We always enjoyed working together and particularly enjoyed it when John, Jerry Miller and I would have lunch at Fairyland. We always flipped for lunch and John usually enjoyed lunch on Jerry or me. We had great conversations and I had a lot of respect for John. God Bless. Norlan Hinke"
"Dear Connie and Family: I was very sorry to learn of John's passing on last Friday. I have always admired John for his success as a building contractor, his loyalty to our hometown, his dedication to community service, and his generosity in helping others. John certainly is deserving of recognition in the MHS Hall of Fame. my sincere, deepest sympathy to you and all of your family. Jim L. Maynard"
"Connie & Family: So sorry to hear of John's passing. Our thoughts & Prayers go out to all the family. John was just one peach of a good guy. "
"Connie, so sorry to hear about John, My thoughts and prayers to you and your family"
"My dear Connie and family, How very saddened I was to learn about John. Ironically I had just made plane reservations to Iowa wanting to spend a few moments reminiscing with him about the good old days. I'll always remember you hosting the lunch bunch; getting together w/everyone was always such a pleasure. He will be sorely missed. Love, Jody OBrien "
"My dear friend, fellow comrade at arms, and fraternal brother John was absolutely one of the finest men I have ever known. His absence will leave a deep void to all who were blessed to have known him. It is my prayer that our Savior and Lord will draw close to his bereaved and devoted soulmate Connie and all the family of this wonderful man and find peace and solace that he is now with his Master and in a better place where there is no grief and suffering. Our prayers go with you. Carl and Bobbie Finney Morristown, TN"
"My sincere Condolences LuAnne on the passing of your father. May God shower you with his grace and peace to ease the pain of your loss."
"Connie, You are in my thoughts and prayers as I always enjoyed having one more chat about events in the community that interested us. I was so happy to see him get involved with the hospital board as he had a vision of how to make improvements that would please more of the people who use our hospital. Serving with John on the school board brings back memories. I recall we faced some tough decisions, but together we worked as a team with many other good board members. John gave his gift of time to make our community a better place to live for which we should all be thankful. With sympathy and friendship, Elaine A. Luett"
"Connie and Family, We were so sorry to hear about the passing of John. He was such a great supporter of the Chamber and the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. He will be missed by all who knew him."
"So sorry for the loss of your dad, Luanne. Our thoughts are with you."
"My deepest sympathies to LuAnne and entire family. I am very sorry for your loss and sending you prayers."
"Sending thoughts and prayers to all of John's family. I am sorry for your loss."
"Maquoketa has Literally lost a Great Man who helped build Maquoketa while on his time here! Sad to hear this & our condolences from the Shaffer family! "
"BRIAN IM SO VERY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF UR DAD"
"Connie, I recall how John always lit up when he spoke of seeing different wildlife on the farm.I knew he had a great admiration for the outdoors. Wished we could have had a few more boat trips. Maybe in our future life! Ruth and i are hoping you find a path to a brighter future. Bob and Ruth Sheets"
"My sincere condolences to Luann and the rest of the Cressey family. May your memories sustain you during this time of great sorrow."
"My deepest sympathies to your family, John built my parents home in 1975-76 on North Jones, they lived there for 40 years until they passed. They always spoke so highly of John and his workmanship. God be with you. Marilyn (Westphal) Belter"
"Connie and family. You have our deepest sympathy. John did a lot of work for us and Connie you were his right hand. God is with you."
"So very sorry for your loss. My sympathy extends to the whole family.. May he rest in peace! "