John Ankeney
John Ankeney
John Ankeney, 90 of New Sharon passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the New Sharon United Methodist Church with Reverend John Battern officiating. Visitation will begin after 2:00 pm Saturday, October 23, 2010 with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church or the Prairie Knolls Country Club to be designated by the family.
John Edward Ankeney, son of Charles “Jake” and Lydia “Josie” (Stutzman) Ankeney was born on March 16, 1920 in Windom, Minnesota. John graduated from New Sharon High School in 1939. On August 21, 1939, John was united in marriage to Genevieve Leydens in Macon, Missouri. To this union two children were born, Greg and Shari. John worked at John Deere in Waterloo until he was drafted by the United States Army in 1944. After serving his time on the front lines during World War II, John was honorably discharged in 1945. John returned to New Sharon and contracted plumbing and heating work for Campbell Hardware Store. In the early 1950’s John purchased Campbell Hardware Store. Genevieve passed away in 1994 after 55 years of marriage. On March 16, 1996, John married Martha Bell in New Sharon. John served as President for the New Sharon Lions Club, President for Commercial Club and he also served as the New Sharon Fire Chief for many years. John served as the Commander of the Coffin-Miller American Legion Post #446 and was on several boards at the United Methodist Church. John played a vital role in the development of Prairie Knolls Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, playing cards and spending time with his family and grandchildren. John was a member of the New Sharon United Methodist Church, the Coffin-Miller American Legion Post #446 and the Prairie Knolls Country Club.
His memory is honored by his wife, Martha of New Sharon; his two children, Greg (LaVonne) Ankeney of Denton, TX and Shari (Bill) Ahlbrecht of Chillicothe, MO; two step-children, Karen (Allan) McGriff of New Sharon and Steven (Lisa) Bell of Indialantic, Florida; eight grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents; a wife, Genevieve Ankeney in 1994 and five sisters, Ruth Quillen, Myrtle Stephens, Josephine Johnston, Meta Means and Mary Alice Ankeney.
Source: Harden Funeral Home
