John Charles Sigwalt was born in Corning, NY, on September 2, 1955, to Bob Sigwalt and Jean Truax Sigwalt. He spent much of his childhood in Jefferson and Churdan, and graduated from Paton-Churdan High School in 1973. After graduating from Iowa Central Community College, John held positions at numerous companies including IBM, Kodak Film, Newbury Property Management, and Bee Line & Blue. He was married twice — first to Carol Parle, with whom he had his son Michael, and then to Tiny Senn where he also deeply cared for her children.
John lived most of his life in Slater, where he was known for helping out where he could, and the smiling “nod” he would give as a greeting. He later moved to Jefferson. John had a passion for camping, fishing, cooking and photography. Once he retired, he bought a camper and loved spending time traveling around Iowa.
His son Michael, recalls: “My favorite memory of my dad has to do with fishing. We would always go to our “secret spot” at Big Creek State Park. He owned a ‘manual’ fishing pole, where you had to use your hands to reel in a fish. I was lucky and caught a fish that had a lot of fight in it. It nearly pulled me off the log I was sitting on! I remember my dad just giving a great belly laugh as he ran over to me, lifting me off the log all while trying to reel in the fish.”
John passed away Sept. 9, 2024 after a battle with cancer. He is preceded in death by his father Bob, and his maternal and paternal grandparents. He is survived in death by his son Michael; mother Jean and stepfather Douglas Tucker; sister JoAnn (Sigwalt) Jensen; half-sister Lynn (Tucker) Morris; and half-brothers David Tucker and Jeff Sigwalt.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 2 pm at Richland Township Cemetery in Guthrie County. Anyone is welcome to attend. The Rev. Heather Dorr of First United Methodist Church of Jefferson will officiate.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Jefferson
