John Blazek

Funeral Services for John Blazek, 93 of Prescott, Iowa will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center. Rev. Mary O’Riley will officiate. John will be laid to rest in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Adams County, Iowa with Military Honors by the US Army, Williamson American Legion Post #719 and the Creston VFW Post #1797. Visitation is open to the public 4-8 PM, Tuesday, June 27, 2023 with family receiving friends from 6-8 PM. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Williamson Legion Hall, the Bohemian Cemetery or EveryStep Hospice. Memories and condolences can be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

John Edward Blazek, the son of Rudolph and Gladys (Coleman) Blazek, was born February 22,

1930 at the family farm north of Prescott in Adams County. John attended school at Union #3 until the eighth grade and graduated from Prescott High School with the class of 1948.

On September 4, 1951, John was drafted into the army where he was inducted at Omaha,

Nebraska and stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for basic training. Following military

training, he arrived in Korea, April 4, 1952, and was assigned to the 25th Division 14th Regiment

Company G. His tour of duty took him to Punch Bowl, Heartbreak Ridge, and Kum Hwa Valley.

John left the front lines on January 9, 1953. After arriving back to the states, he was assigned to

an anticraft division in Detroit, Michigan to complete his tour of duty. On June 3, 1953, he was

Honorably discharged from Battle Creek, Michigan and returned home to farm.

On February 3, 1961, John was united in marriage to Margaret Ann “Bid” Garity in Creston,

Iowa. The couple moved to the farm northeast of Prescott known as the Keever farm. To this

union five children were born, Deammie Jo, Gary Gene “Jake”, Tammy Ann, Patricia Lynn, and

Daniel Joseph “Boone”.

John had a passion for farming. He and Bid continued to farm with John’s dad, Rud. The family

farm operation consisted of raising cows, various crops including corn, soybeans, and hay. John

also raised purebred hogs for many years. John continued to be part of the family farming

operation with his son Jake until the time of death.

When able to take a break from farming John and Bid enjoyed attending American Legion and

American Legion Auxiliary events and playing golf with friends. One of John’s fondest memories

was the trip he and Bid were able to take to Hawaii.

John was a member of the Williamson American Legion Post 719, and the Creston VFW

Theodore J Martens Post 1797. He was involved with the Williamson American Legion Post 719

where he served as Commander for 3 years and Adjutant for over 30 years. He also served the

American Legion District 7 as Vice Commander and Adjutant.

Being a Veteran, John faced many difficulties, but with those difficulties he also received some

of his most treasured recognitions. In September of 2014, John was able to take part in one of

the Honor Flights that took him to the Nation’s Capital to see the memorials that commemorate

his services. He was also honored with a Quilt of Valor, made by Marlene Mullin, and made an

Honorary Charter member of the Williamson American Legion.

John served Adams County as a Union Township Trustee. After 44 years of service, he retired in

2022. John entered eternal rest on June 22, 2023 at the family farm at the age of 93 years and 4

months.

John was preceded in death by his wife Margaret “Bid”, his parents Rudolph and Gladys, two

daughters Deammie Jo and Patricia Lynn Blazek, his sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and

Wayne Kenfield and Daisy and Robert Brown, his brother Louis Blazek, great grandson Brody,

and numerous Garity relatives.

Left to cherish John’s memory include his three children, Gary Blazek (friend Cherokie Davis) of

Prescott, Tammy (Mark) Rychnovsky of Diagonal, and Daniel (Angie) Blazek of Nevinville; seven

grandchildren: Jocelyn Blazek, Robyn Blazek (friend Andy), Deirdre Blazek (friend Jimmy), Brook

and Blake Rychnovsky, Nathaniel and Emma Blazek, four step grandchildren: Tya Wilson (friend

Chris) Taryn Naill (friend Skeeter) Rusti (Andrew) Rhamy, Treyg (Ashlyn) Webb, 4 great

grandchildren: Gabe Blazek, Braxton Blazek, Joziah and Aliyah Kirk, and eight great

step-grandchildren: Makade and Liam Wilson, Skylar and Cameron Webb, Tylyn Hall, Nolan,

Blaykelyn and Atlee Rhamy. Also surviving is his sister-in-law Darlene Blazek, as well as

numerous Garity relatives, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.