John Whelchel

John F. Whelchel, 77, of Urbandale and formerly of Fort Dodge passed away thursday, March 2, 2023 at the VA Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2023 at Holy Trinity Church followed by military rites. A visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the Church. Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family. John is survived by his wife Pam, daughter Marisa McClimon and her children Cassidy and Abigail McClimon of Urbandale, son Michael Whelchel and his children Layne and Lauryn Whelchel of Cedar Rapids, sisters Judy (Jim) Kern, Linda (Butch) Johnson, Karen (Greg) Lombard all of Fort Dodge, Kate (Greg) McInroy of Des Moines, sister-in-law Jean Cooper, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Helen (Raymond) Whelchel, sister Mary Ann Whelchel, and brother-in-law Lloyd Cooper. John Frank Whelchel was born June 12, 1945 in Fort Dodge. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1963. John served in the United States Navy on the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War from 1965 until his honorable discharge in 1969. On November 7, 1970, John was united in marriage to Pamela Cooper at Sacred Heart Church. The couple made Fort Dodge their home. John worked for Glaser's Meats, the Telephone Company, and notably Fort Dodge School District, retiring after 35 years. In 2008, after retiring John and Pam moved to Urbandale to be closer to family. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW. He will be remembered for his jokes and trying to make people laugh always. He loved to fish but he loved spending time with his family the most. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Alzheimer's Association. Funeral Mass Fri, Mar 10, 2023 at 9:00 am - 11:00 am Holy Trinity Church 2501 6th Avenue North Fort Dodge, IA 50501 Funeral Mass Fri, Mar 10, 2023 at 11:00 am Holy Trinity Church 2501 6th Avenue North Fort Dodge, IA 50501