John Robert Milligan, 75, of Jefferson, passed away January 19, 2024, at Mercy One Medical Center in Des Moines.
He was born on March 21, 1948, in Jefferson, to Robert and Dorothy (Swigert) Milligan. On August 3, 1969, he married the love of his life, Katherine (Hutchison) Milligan. They were married 54 wonderful years.
John served in the US Army from 1969 to 1975 when he was honorably discharged. He earned his professional civil engineering degree from Iowa State University. He consulted as an engineer from 1971 – 1983.
In 1983, he and two partners, Warder Hillhouse and Harold Fairbairn, formed MHF Engineering. John was the city engineer for Jefferson for 37 years while he was an owner of MHF. In 2018, the practice was sold and John retired.
John will be greatly missed for his quick wit, dry humor, his patience and helpfulness to all who needed it. He was generous with his time and money towards projects and causes that were dear to his heart.
He was a Rotarian for many years, receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship award four times. He also contributed to the Polio Plus program to eradicate polio worldwide. He received his pilot’s license in 1983. Although he hadn’t flown for a long time, he really enjoyed aviation. He loved all aspects of the outdoors – especially hunting, fishing and shooting muzzleloaders. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson and the Raccoon Valley Muzzleloaders. Traveling and visiting historical sites were a favorite past-time of his.
John could fix almost everything that was broken. If you were helping him, you knew everything had a place and it was expected to be put back in that manner. He was a tough “old-bird”, beating so many serious medical ailments throughout his life.
John was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Milligan, father Robert Milligan, stepmother Norma Milligan, and his sister Martha Fletcher.
Survivors include his wife Kathy and their cat Molly of Jefferson; his son Chris (Amy) and granddog Sophie of Jefferson; sister Ann Rohovit of AZ; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends.
A memorial service will be held Jan. 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.
The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, 515-386-2171.
