In Memory of John Edwin Oxendale

John E. Oxendale, age 82, of Arthur, Iowa passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2015, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Faith Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Reverend Trish Underberg will officiate. Military rites will be conducted at the church by the Roose Post No. 313 of the American Legion of Odebolt, Iowa. Private family committal services will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.  A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m., followed by a masonic service, Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

John Edwin Oxendale was born on November 18, 1932 at Midway to Joseph “Jim” and Margaret “Peg” (Fries) Oxendale. John grew up on the family farm outside of Arthur where he attended Arthur school.   After graduation in 1951, he continued to farm and work with his father and brother in Oxendale Trucking.

John was inducted into the U.S. Army in April of 1954, where he proudly served as a Private First Class during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged from the Army in April of 1956.

Returning home to the family farm, he picked up where he left off trucking and farming. John was united into marriage to Ila Frank on September 16, 1960 in Omaha, Nebraska.

The couple made their family home on a farm near Arthur, Iowa. John and Ila were blessed with four children: Terry, Lori, Linda, and David.

Like most farmers, John didn't have a lot of hobbies but he did spend time on the softball field either pitching or coaching. He would ride his motorcycle to watch his children play sports. On weekends you might see John and Ila riding their Gold Wing motorcycles for a leisurely drive to destination anywhere.  Also, you could often find him on Saturday morning at the sale barn having breakfast and coffee with friends. 

Throughout his life, John continued to enjoy farming and trucking.   He retired from trucking in 2014 but he never officially retired from farming as it always remained in his heart.

After a courageous battle with cancer, John passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of nearly 55 years Ila Oxendale of Arthur, Iowa; children, Terry (Ruth) Oxendale of Arthur, Iowa, Lori (Jim) Bouza of Wagner, South Dakota, Linda (Marc) Barry of Glasgow, Scotland, David (Melissa) Oxendale of Arthur, Iowa; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley Hemer of Arthur, Iowa; brother, James “Jim” (Pat) Oxendale of Ida Grove, Iowa; sisters- in- law, Lois Oxendale of Ida Grove, Iowa, Velma Auen of Albert City, Iowa, Norma Frank of Des Moines, Iowa; many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph “Jim” and Margaret “Peg” Oxendale; brother, Roland Oxendale; infant twin daughters; grandson and granddaughter in infancy; parents-in-law, Henry and Margaret Frank; brothers-in-law, Roy Hemer, Arthur Auen, and Ernest Frank.

With us, he leaves his wisdom, love for family, a great respect for the land, nature, and animals along with an incredible sense of humor. “Please cut the pie in six pieces, because I don't think I can eat eight”- John