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John J Reilly

February 20, 1943 - August 7, 2021

John J. Reilly, 78, of Ankeny, passed away August 7, 2021, surrounded by his family. John was born February 20, 1943, in Dubuque, Iowa to Edward and Doris Reilly.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Memorial Services of Iowa, 4208 N. Ankeny Blvd. from 1:30–4:00 pm with a prayer service beginning at 1:00 pm.  Funeral will be held on Monday, August 16, 2021 at 10:30 am at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 510 E First St. in Ankeny. The funeral service will be livestreamed via the following link: www.olih.org

John was raised on a farm outside of Coggon, IA where he enjoyed life on the farm. He also attended St. Gregory’s High School and St. Gregory’s Junior College in Shawnee, OK.

John married Jeanine McElliott on December 28, 1963. Together they worked to raise their children, Ed, Angie, and Terri. John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1972 and worked as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor for many years before starting his own businesses, Shamrock Seamless Gutter, Shamrock Roofing and Gutter, and Polk County Home Inspection, all which he owned and operated for over 40 years in Ankeny. John was actively involved in several civic organizations including the Masonic Lodge, the Ankeny Elk’s Lodge of which he served as Exalted Ruler for two years along with the Knights of Columbus which he was a member for over 62 years.  John recently enjoyed spending time by working as a Driver’s Education Instructor.

John enjoyed traveling the world with the love of his life, Jeannie, fishing, hunting and rattle snake hunting with his son, Ed, and grandsons.  He was a die-hard Hawkeye fan and loved spending time with his family. He was also a lifelong learner and was continuously working on his PHD in Useless Knowledge.  John also enjoyed a good debate, of course always choosing the opposite side of with whomever he was speaking. He also loved to pester anyone who had a pulse. John maintained a special 48-year friendship with Bill W. – living one day at a time.

John is survived by Jeanine, his wife of 57 years; daughters, Angie (Doug) Fletcher of West Des Moines, IA, and Terri (Brad) Hastings of Amarillo; TX, daughter-in-law, Lynette Reilly of Fayetteville, AR; grandchildren, Brandon (Jamie) Reilly, Mollie Reilly (Randall Keen), Patrick (Bri) Reilly, Amber Hastings (Stetson Wellborn), Brian Hastings, and Reilly Hastings (Alex Quest); six great grandchildren; his brother, Bill Mitchell (Jolene Cleaver) of Paul’s Valley, OK; sister, Karen Halboth of Willams Bay, WI; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Ed; his parents, Edward & Doris Reilly; birthmother, Rosemary Mitchell; and sister, Pam Meyers.