John William Grogan

1940 - 2020

John William Grogan, 80, of Keokuk, died Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, at his home.

He was born July 10, 1940, in Keokuk, the son of John and Hazel Collins Grogan.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country aboard the USS McDermut for four years.

On June 25, 1960, John was united in marriage with Diana Burkhardt in Los Angeles. She survives.

John had been employed at the Dial Corporation in Fort Madison for 32 years, retiring in 2004.

He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk.

John was a people person and a good friend to many. He enjoyed visiting with his neighbors, spending time at McDonald's and talking on the phone with friends. He also enjoyed taking time to go down to the Keokuk Union Depot to visit with friends who continue to refurbish the building, and to reminisce about taking lunch to his dad, who was superintendent of the depot in the 40s and early 50s. He loved his Wheelhorse lawn tractors and restored several, along with his son-in-law, Steve, to make them look brand new. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye football fan. John's grandchildren were the light of his life. He loved spending time with them and being involved in their activities. He especially enjoyed watching his grandson, Chris, race go-carts as a young boy. He was proud that his grandson, Tucker, is following in his footsteps to serve in the U.S. Navy. He always told others that his three granddaughters, MacKenzie, Shelby, and Katy John were the prettiest girls in the world. His great-grandson, Brooks, was his pride and joy.

He is also survived by two daughters, Pam Barclift and her husband Steve, and Kelly Grogan, all of Keokuk, and one son, Dave Grogan of Keokuk; five grandchildren, Christopher Barclift and fiancé Kelsey Whitaker, MacKenzie Kleinert and her husband Matt, Shelby Hanan and companion Justin Gay, Katy John Hanan, and Tucker Hanan, and one great-grandson, Brooks Kleinert. He is also survived by three sisters, Lillian Kraus and her husband Joe of Keokuk, Kaye Vollers of Minnesota, and Sue Fink and her husband Keith of Texas; three sisters-in-law, Geraldine Grogan, Judy Grogan, and Sara Humphrey, all of Keokuk; one brother-in-law, Alvin Burkhardt and his wife Lupe of California; and many nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law, Pauline Burkhardt, two sisters, Ellen Marie in infancy and Jean Ketterer and her husband Jack, and three brothers, Thomas Grogan, Gerard Grogan and James Michael Grogan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk, with the Rev. David Brownfield, Ph.D., officiating. Masks will be required at the church. Burial with military rites will be in Keokuk National Cemetery.

Visitation be after 1 p.m., Tuesday, at Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, with the family meeting with friends from 4-6:30 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Social distancing requirements will be in place at the funeral home and masks are strongly encouraged for those attending the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Keokuk Union Depot Commission.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.