John Bayless

John passed away early this morning at the Shenandoah Medical Center. A memorial is currently being established. John Franklin Bayless was born in Northboro, Iowa on December 15, 1924, to Floyd and Zelma (Cain) Bayless. John entered into eternal peace on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 in Shenandoah, Iowa, at the blessed age of 87 years. As a child, John made his own games. They used to use a stick to throw mud balls at the big church door. Of course, they always had to clean them off. They made arrows, sling shots and rubber guns. A favorite was push the hoop, using a small metal hoop and stick. He also enjoyed sleigh riding. They never bought toys. A rubber car cost five cents, but they never had money to buy one. When John got older he trapped to make spending money and also delivered newspapers. He attended all twelve years of school in Northboro. After graduation, he went to San Diego, CA where he worked at the Consolidated Vultee Bomber Plant to assist with the war effort When he came back, he worked at General Mills in Omaha, he helped his dad as a carpenter (until his dad took a job as a school janitor) and worked at Browns Shoe Fit. After his father ha...[more]

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stroke, John took over as school janitor. On December 31, 1947 John was united in marriage to Dorothy Rosenbohm in Kolona, Iowa. The couple made their home in Northboro, until moving to Shenandoah in 2009. The couple was blessed with the birth of three sons, Daron was killed while attending college. The couple enjoyed 65 years of marriage. Following his marriage to Dorothy, John began working full time as a carpenter, working with his brothers; Rex and Dee. He later worked with his sons Dale and Dennis until his retirement in 1989, at the age of 65 years. He built many homes around Southwest Iowa and completed numerous remodeling projects. Dale and Dennis continue the family tradition of Bayless Construction. John enjoyed collecting things; coins, guns, political buttons, marbles, ect. He said "I'm like the city dump, I collect everything!" His love of nature began at an early age when he hunted ground squirrels along the railroad tracks and trapped animals and sold their fur for spending money. Through out his years he enjoyed hunting, fishing and going to auctions. He and Dorothy would have a booth at a couple of antique shops. John also enjoyed reading, doing word games and working crossword puzzles. He was preceded in death of his parents; three brothers Dee, Forrest and Rex; 6 sisters Corra, Edyth, Billie, June, Norma and Bettye; and son Daron. Those left to honor his memory include his wife Dorothy Jean Bayless of Shenandoah; sons Dale Bayless and wife Marilyn and Dennis Bayless and wife Kathy both of Shenandoah; grandchildren Matthew, Mark, Kiley and Drew many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.