John David Wooster, Jr., age 72, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Burgess Health Center of Onawa, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 4, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Father William McCarthy will officiate. Committal services will follow in St. Clair Township Cemetery of Ute, Iowa.
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:45 p.m. followed by a vigil service, on Friday, March 3, 2023, at the Armstrong – Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa.
A Facebook Live of the Mass will be available on the Armstrong – Van Houten Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/armstrongfuneral
John David Wooster, Jr., was born on June 17, 1950, in Mapleton, Iowa, to John David, Sr. and Violetta (Gosch) Wooster. Growing up on the dairy farm ingrained John with a solid work ethic. He was a wrestler and football player during his high school years at Maple Valley, where he graduated with the class of 1968. He also participated in 4-H from a young age.
On October 3, 1970, John was united in marriage to Judy Halterman in Mapleton. To this union four children were born: Brenda, Jill, Amy and Mike. When his children were at home he worked at IBP in Denison, Iowa. The couple later divorced.
John then relocated for work opportunities to Idaho then South Carolina. On September 10, 2010 he married Margaret Ohlmeier in Aiken, South Carolina. She passed away in July of 2014 from cancer. After her passing John moved back to Idaho. In 2021 John returned home to Mapleton to be closer to his children and grandchildren.
4-H was very important to John, and he strongly encouraged his children and grandchildren to participate in their local 4-H clubs. He would often go to the county and state fairs to watch them show their livestock. John enjoyed fishing, and one of the highlights of his life was being invited to Idaho2Fly, a camping and fly fishing trip for survivors of small cell lung cancer. Some of John’s other favorite pursuits were camping, gardening, taking leisurely drives in the country, studying plat books, golfing, shooting pool, buying pull tabs, and happy hour.
He is survived by his children Brenda (Greg) Mace of Kansas City, KS, Jill Wooster of Sioux City, IA, Amy (Gary) Gideon of Columbus, KS, and Mike Wooster of Mapleton, IA; grandchildren Thomas, Andrew and Christopher Mace, Emmalee and Allyson Fannon, Hannah and Haddie Gideon, and Paige, Ava and Brynnan Wooster; great-grandson Alexander Mace; siblings Jean Gries, Judy Baldwin, LaVerna (Dave) Sneed, Bill (Freeda) Schneekloth, Rita (Bill) Duncan, Vinton (Theresa) Wooster, and Marcia Pegram; brother-in-law Randy Aunspach; sister-in-law Suzy Wooster; daughter-in-law Melissa Wooster; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents John, Sr. and Violetta Wooster; wife Margaret Wooster; brother Ivan Wooster; sister Rilda Aunspach; and brothers-in-law Frank Gries and Dave Baldwin.
Previous Events
Visitation
3
Mar
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Rosary at 6:45 p.m. with a Vigil Service following.
Mass of Christian Burial
4
Mar
201 N 8th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Cemetery Details
Location
Ute, IA
