Jon Horace Waltz

Jon H. Waltz, 71, of Red Oak, IA, passed away on June 27, 2015 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. As per his wishes, cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Red Oak with military honors and inurnment the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2015 at the church. Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern in charge of the arrangements. Memorials: First United Methodist Church or Boy Scout Troop 80 in Red Oak. Jon Horace Waltz, one of three children of Margaret Lenore (Shaw) and Horace Griffith Waltz, was born on July 28, 1943 in Red Oak, Iowa. He attended the Red Oak Community Schools and graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Animal Science. While at Iowa State, Jon was in the ROTC program and graduated as a 2nd Lt. Army Artillery Officer. He served in Korea in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 and was discharged with the rank of 1st Lt. US Army. Jon spent most of his career selling farm and commercial insurance and was part owner of the United Group Insurance in Red Oak. He retired in 2012 after ...[more]

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years in the insurance business. Jon and Jane Roberta Munson were married on November 28, 1970 in Slater, Iowa. They were blessed with three children, Peter, Eileen and Grant. Jon was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church in Red Oak where he also taught Sunday School, served as a Lay Speaker, and in 2006, served as a Lay Missioner. Jon was a recipient of the Cross and Flame for his service to the youth of the United Methodist Church. Jon was a true community supporter. He served as a 4-H leader, 1968-1970, and was active with the scouting program in Red Oak, having served as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Boy Scout Chaplain. In 1990, Jon received the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest national honor a Council can bestow on a volunteer. Jon attended the Philmont Training Center for Scouting, was an Assistant Scoutmaster for the National Boy Scout Jamboree, and he volunteered at the Jamboree for the Woodcarving Merit Badge. He remained involved with the Boy Scouts as an Assistant Commissioner. In 1993, Jon received recognition for his "Distinguished Service" to the Red Oak Community High School and was the "Red Oak School Booster of the Year". He was inducted to the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame in 1995. Jon was very proud of his work with the Mid-America Woodcarvers and the International Guild of Knot Tyers. He was a member of the Toastmasters International since 1969, the Gideons International since 2001, the American Legion, the Historic Preservation Committee, and served several terms on the Red Oak Chamber Board. Above all his activities and volunteerism, his family was his pride and joy. Jon was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, brother, son, and a good friend to all who knew him. Jon passed away on June 27, 2015 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 71 years, 10 months, and 29 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; and nephew Paul Borthwick. Jon is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jane Waltz of Red Oak; children, Peter Waltz and wife Holly of Algona, IA, Eileen Waltz of Red Oak, and Grant Waltz of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Harrison and Emerson Waltz; sisters, Alicemary Borthwick and husband Gordon of Grinnell, IA, and Ellen Boydston and husband Everett of Camden Point, MO; other relatives and a host of friends.