John "Jack" W. Dyas **UPDATED DAYS AND TIMES"

UPDATED TIMES AND DATES

John “Jack” W. Dyas, 102, of rural Andrew, most recently of Clover Ridge in Maquoketa, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Jackson County Regional Health Center surrounded by his loving family.  Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am, Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Springbrook.  Visitation will be 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Friday, January 19, 2024 at Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue.  Burial with Military Honors conducted by Bellevue American Legion Post #273 will be in church cemetery.

John W. Dyas was born on September 11, 1921 in an upstairs bedroom in a limestone rock house on a farm two miles north of Andrew, Iowa. His mother (Mary Weirick) had given birth to two sons (Tommy and Robert) before Jack came along. About two years later, Dad’s little brother Dick (Richard) was born. The four brothers grew up on the farm with their parents, Roy W. and Mary E. Dyas.

The limestone house was built by Andreas B. Defries in 1858. Our farm was recently named a Century Farm in Iowa in 2015. Jack was very proud of his farm being recognized as a Century Farm. “Our farm is a three generation farm, my father, me and now my son.”

Jack Dyas graduated from Andrew High School in 1937. He worked at the Dyas Feed Mill (operated by his uncle) in Bellevue following graduation. Jack entered the U.S. Army in June 1944 as a Private and departed as a PVC in June 1946. He served in battle zones including France, Germany and Austria. He was awarded The Rifleman Medal and the Three Bronze Battle Star Ribbon. Jack declared that being in the Army was one of his most prized experiences.

Following his service in the U.S. Army, he married Doris Mae Gonner from Springbrook on January 31st, 1951. They were married at the Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Springbrook. When anyone ever asked him for his advice about reaching 102, he told them to “get married!” Getting married to Doris was the best thing he ever did.

Doris and Jack made their life on the farm and had three children. Mary Jo, Sandra Louise and John R. Dyas. Jack’s father Roy Dyas sold the farm to him and he and his father farmed the land together until Roy passed in 1970. Jack continued to farm until he retired. In addition to farming, Jack ran a sawmill, sawing lumber for neighbors and friends. The stationary mill was built in 1921. Jack loved the woods deeply and told us many stories about him and his brothers camping in Wild Cat Hollow.

Jack lived in the rock house until July 25, 2022, when he moved into an apartment for assisted living at Clover Ridge. He embraced this new opportunity as he did with everything in his life. Conquering new challenges and relishing in the friendships he made both old and new. Dad told me that this new experience changed him in big ways; he said he felt like he was a new person.

Jack was a very kind, fun-loving and gentle-hearted man who was sometimes called “Smiling Jack” and “Papa Jack” by our friends. He was a farmer, a soldier, school bus driver, story-teller, school board member, sawmill operator, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Following WWII, Jack decided to take flying lessons in

Dubuque. He always hoped to have his own plane. He loved airplanes and trains, cars and all things that move.One summer night he brought home a homemade go-kart for John who was maybe 5 or 6 years old! Mom was not happy. Away Dad and John went around the graveled circle driveway!

Some of our fondest memories with grandpa include traveling in the motorhome, him joining us for a swim in the backyard pool, mini golf, playing numerous card games such as euchre, cribbage and rummy royale, his set of giant playing cards, hunting for dew worms to be used as fishing bait and cooking us his famous silver dollar pancakes on the griddle for suppertime. We were extremely blessed to have him in our lives for such a long time.

As a great grandparent he exceeded in making the best fruit salad ever and smiled joyfully while he got his nails painted in every color of the rainbow. Jack and Doris and later John and Jack drove to South Dakota to visit great-grandsons Ayden, Owen and their mom Tasha several times a year. Owen said “Grandpa was a great story-teller!”

Jack considered himself to be a very fortunate man. He believed his life had always been charmed. When asked how he was doing, he almost always responded with “GREAT!” or “ YOU BET!” It is with his very open-minded attitude and his zest for life that we hope to carry on in his memory.

There is no way to really say just how much we loved our Dad, Grandpa, friend, mentor and wonderful story-teller. He loved us all. We are feeling an immense amount of grief for losing our beautiful father. At 102, Jack lived a grand and glorious life. He LOVED his life and told us over and over again how happy he was that his life turned out the way it did. He always told us how much he loved his family and he showed us this love all of the time. What a beautiful spirit...

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter Sandra Louise of Iowa City, his son John R. Dyas of rural Andrew, three grandchildren: Jenna Hudrlik of Maquoketa, Jamie Hudrlik (and partner Matthew Ghabel) of Iowa City and Tasha Volk of Blackhawk, SD and four great-grandchildren: Caroline Louise Nims, Ayden John Volk, Owen Jacob Volk and Florence Mae Elizabeth Ghabel. John W. Dyas was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Doris Dyas, his infant daughter Mary Jo and his brothers Tommy, Robert and Richard Dyas.

We would like to thank the Jackson County Hospital for taking extra wonderful care of our Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. The family would also like to thank Father Ambrosy and the Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com