John J. Janes, Jr. Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For John J. Janes, Jr.

John J. Janes, Jr., a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and veteran, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 98. He lived a life defined by hard work, quiet strength, deep faith, and an enduring love for his family.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA). A funeral will follow at 11:00 A.M., also at the funeral home. A small graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2026, St. Mary’s Nativity Cemetery in Crest Hill, Illinois, for his final interment.

Born on March 20, 1928, in Joliet, Illinois, John graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1946 and wasted no time answering his country’s call. He enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after graduation and was stationed at Haneda Air Base in Tokyo, Japan, during the post-war occupation. There he was transferred to the Army Air Corps and rose to the position of Assistant Crew Chief — a role that spoke to his natural mechanical ability and steady reliability. But perhaps one of his fondest memories from those years was putting on a uniform of a different kind: as a member of the Haneda Flyers baseball team, John traveled across Japan competing against Army and Navy teams, turning a period of service into a season of adventure. He was honorably discharged in 1949, carrying home memories and a character forged by discipline and camaraderie.

John built his career with care and commitment. He worked at Globe Aircraft before joining Caterpillar, where he would spend over 33 dedicated years. He retired in 1985 as a General Foreman, a title earned through decades of showing up, doing the work, and earning the respect of those around him.

Outside of work, John was a man who knew how to live fully in every season of life. In his younger years, he could be found on the water at the Coal City Area Club, boating and water skiing with the kind of enthusiasm that those who knew him then remember fondly. He also gave generously of his time as a volunteer coach, guiding his daughter and sons through seasons of softball and baseball. As the years passed, woodworking became one of his great passions, finding deep satisfaction in the craft itself. He also loved the game of golf, and could often be found on the course with the same focus he brought to everything in life. Above all, John was a man of deep Catholic faith, which grounded him through every season of life and gave him a peace that those who knew him could always feel.

John is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 69 years, Sharon; his children, Mary Ann Bowen (Jeffrey Heber) of Fairbanks, AK, Jerry Janes (Marga) of McCook, NE, Jeff Janes (Sara) of Ankeny, IA, and John T. Janes (Ania) of Irvine, CA. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Bush of Joliet, IL.

He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren: Brianna Wagner, Jennalee Lancaster (William), Nolan Wagner, João Pedro (JP) Janes, Michael Janes, Andrew Janes (Jaiden), Kayla Janes (Dante Selles). John is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Zoey, Carson, Evelyn, and Aurora, bringing a rich family legacy he and Sharon built together over nearly a century of living.

He was a father who led by example, a husband who showed up every day, and a man whose presence will leave a lasting imprint on all who loved him.

In his final years, John faced the quiet and difficult journey of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with the same dignity that marked his whole life. His family is grateful for the time they had and for every lucid moment shared.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in John’s memory to Boys Town (www.boystown.org), located in Omaha, Nebraska — an organization whose mission of caring for children and families reflects the values he held dear throughout his life.

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