John Rodwell, 84, of Oskaloosa passed away Saturday evening, December 7, 2024, at the Oskaloosa Care Center.
John Paul Rodwell, son of John Joseph and Helen (Semanski) Rodwell, was born July 29, 1940, in Albia, Iowa. John attended school in Albia until his parents moved to Givin, a small hamlet in East Des Moines Township, Mahaska County. He finished grade school at Givin and was a 1959 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. He worked for 1½ years with Clow Valve Company before going to work building pole barns for Edwards and Campbell. On August 29, 1963, he was inducted into the army. He worked as a carpenter state-side for two years and was discharged on May 29, 1965. He married Joyce Ann Dykstra on September 4, 1965, and they made their home in Givin. He returned to work with Edwards and Campbell but was soon hired by Hawkeye Pole Builders to manage a crew. He remained with Hawkeye for almost ten years. He then established R & W (Rodwell & Winkelman) Construction, which he operated for five years before working for Howard DeJong. John retired in 2000 after six years with Howard. John continued building cabinetry, remodeling, and structural carpentry even after retirement. He enjoyed doing gratis work for his friends and family from his shop in Givin. He also enjoyed many hours of hunting and fishing.
His family includes a brother, Robert “Bob” Rodwell of Givin; a sister-in-law, Janice Maxson of Lyndon, IL; nephews: Doug (Denise) Rodwell of Oskaloosa, Michael (Amy) Rodwell of Givin, and Jeff (Debbie) Maxson of Morrison, IL; and nieces: Julie Crandall (Faye O’Daniel) of Orange Park, FL and Jennifer (George) Paris of Clayton, NC; and several great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Joyce, on May 25, 2020.
Funeral services for John will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Mike Sereg. The burial will be in Henness Cemetery. The Oskaloosa Honor Guard will present Military Honors. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to service time on Tuesday morning. Memorial contributions can be made to the Oskaloosa Honor Guard.
