John W. Zehms

John W. Zehms, 76, of Mount Vernon, died Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon. Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Saturday June 10, 2017, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2017, at the funeral home. Burial: Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Marilyn; children, April (David) Payne, Sandy (Corey) Guenther, and John (Samantha) Zehms; grandchildren, Alexandra Pons, Kristin and Nicole Guenther, and Gretta, Adam, Erik, and Kevin Zehms; brother, Rowe Zehms, Jr.; and many extended family and friends. John William Zehms was born April 30, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, to Rowe Sr. and Anne (Robertson) Zehms. He attended and graduated from Washington High School in 1959. John worked six years at Penick & Ford then ADM Corn Sweeteners where he worked for over 27 years, retiring in 2006. He also served in the Marine Reserves from 1963-1967. He married Marilyn Karas on November 21, 1964, in Atlantic, Iowa. John belonged to the El Kahir Shrine, Crescent Lodge #25, Scottish Rite Temple, and Grace Episcopal Church for many years. He enjoyed playing cards, cooking out, and going on vacations around the Midwest. He loved caring for his home acreage with his John Deere tractors and Gator. John's most cherished activity was spending time with his beloved family.