In Memory of Dr. John S. Sinnott

Dr. John S. Sinnott, age 80, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Private Family Vigil Service was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball officiated. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Dr. John Stephen Sinnott, the son of Stephen B. and Ellen E. (Judge) Sinnott, was born on the kitchen table on October 20, 1940, at home, in Georgetown, IA. As a child of the Great Depression, his life on the family farm was of meager means but rich in love. His humble roots and love of family defined him throughout his life. He attended St. Patrick’s School through the 11th grade and then went on to graduate from Dowling High School in Des Moines, IA, with the class of 1959. He continued his Catholic education in college by attending St. Ambrose University. In addition to his studies, John had a passion for sports. He enjoyed playing football while at St. Ambrose. After graduating from St. Ambrose, he furthered his education in the medical field at the University of Des Moines Medical School. He finished his internship in Denver and graduated medical school in 1968.

From the moment of their first date, his bride to be, knew John was the one she would marry. On August 28, 1965, John married his love, Lenee T. Showalter in Bettendorf, IA. Together they were committed to fulfilling John’s dream of being called “Doc” by the small community he served. Together in 1969, they made Ida Grove, IA home and started his medical practice. Over the course of his career, he treated thousands of patients and delivered four generations of families.

The couple was blessed with two children: Annie and Daniel. Both children flourished. Daniel is now a contracting officer with the US Army. Annie followed in her father’s footsteps and is an ER Physician.

During his career, John’s deep appreciation of sport brought him right to the heart of local high school sports. He was a pioneer and advocate for sport physicals to keep athletic youth safe and healthy. John rarely missed a home game, as a volunteer sideline football physician for 45 years. He also served as the Ida County Medical Examiner for many years.

In his medical career, John valued ongoing education and evolving as a physician. John’s niche in medicine came when he met Rheumatic arthritis guru, Dr. Thomas McPherson Brown. John studied under Dr. Brown and learned alternative treatments for patients with connective tissue disorders. Patients from around the globe traveled many miles to rural Ida Grove to be treated by Dr. Sinnott.

After retiring in 2008, he returned to his farming roots. John planted 5 acres of grapevines. Once the vines matured, he achieved his dream and opened the Old Town Vineyard and Winery in 2012. The winery was his passion. He often said the reason he loved the winery so much was because it was different than his career. As a physician, he witnessed much suffering. As a vintner and winery owner, he witnessed abundant joy. John always loved a good party.

On December 9th, 2020 Dr. Sinnott passed away after a quiet and courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife Lenee Sinnott of Ida Grove, IA; daughter Annie (Cindi) Sinnott of Las Vegas, NV and their son Eli; son Daniel (Michelle) Sinnott of Davenport, IA and their children Jenna and Jackson; brother Bill Sinnott of Des Moines, IA; sisters Ann (Larry) Arnold of Norwalk, IA, Ellen Sinnott of Des Moines, IA and Rosemary (Jerry) Weiss of St. Louis, MO; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Ellen Sinnott; sister Kathleen Sinnott; a brother in infancy; and parents-in-law Ray and Lisa Showalter.