John W. Kleese, age 67, of Washington, Iowa, died Thursday, March 03, 2016, at the Washington County Hospital following a sudden illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2016, at the United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kitch Shatzer and Rev. Dennis Coon officiating. Visitation will begin noon Sunday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa at a later date. Memorials have been established for Washington County 4-H, Washington High School FFA and Washington County Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for John's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

John was born January 22, 1949, the son of David Elwood and Ada B. (Denison) Kleese. He attended school in Washington, Iowa and graduated from Washington High School in 1967. John attended Marshalltown Community College in Marshalltown, Iowa, and Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. He was united in marriage to Cathy C. Coon on September 6, 1969 in Washington, Iowa.

John worked for Waconda Chemical Company in Washington for several years. John and Cathy moved to the family farm west of Washington in 1973 where John farmed with his dad. He was a salesman for Northrup King Seed Company and owned and operated Titus LLC Trucking Company.

John was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church where he served on the Session, taught Sunday School and was on the Building and Grounds Committee. John was currently serving as the Franklin Township Trustee. He was a member of the Washington Optimist Club and was a faithful attendee at the West Chester Coffee Club. John was an active father and grandfather, as he was the 4-H leader of the Franklin Cubs, leader of the Indian Guides and served on the Washington County 4-H Council. John enjoyed attending the time spent with his family and attending his grandchildren's many activities.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy Kleese of Washington, Iowa; son, Troy Kleese and wife Pam of Des Moines, Iowa; son, Tracy Kleese and wife Amy of Washington, Iowa; son, Tim Kleese and wife Amanda of Washington, Iowa; grandchildren: Rylin and Logan Kleese; Lincoln, Sophia and Abigail Kleese; and Noah, Jack and Isaac Kleese. John is also survived by his mother, Ada Kleese of Washington, Iowa; four sisters, Susan Hough and husband Ken of Urbandale, Iowa; Judith Leavitt and husband David of Coralville, Iowa; Jane Krumwiede and husband Ken of Davenport, Iowa; Marsha Campbell and husband Jim of Wellsville, Utah; father-in-law, Robert Coon of Washington; 4 brothers-in-law; 1 sister-in-law; as well as many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his father, Elwood, in 2000; and his mother-in-law, Carol Coon, in 2015.