John E. McPoland

John “Jack” E. McPoland, 80, of Dubuque, Iowa, and formerly of Epworth, Iowa was called home to our Heavenly Father on November 10, 2017 surrounded by his family at his home after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Friends and relatives of John may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa, where wake service will be held at 3:30 p.m. , a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m., Wednesday at the funeral home.
Services for John will held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa, with Rev. James Bergin, SVD Presiding. Burial will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Epworth with full military honors afforded by the Epworth American Legion-John White Post #650.
He was born April 1, 1937 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of William and Mary B. (McCabe) McPoland. He attended the Epworth High School. On May 3, 1958 he was united in marriage to Betty Schmerbach.
He proudly served our country with the U.S. Army. He served in Korea and also with the U.S. Army Reserve 389th Engineering Battalion of Dubuque, the 321st Battalion of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the 451st Battalion in Wichita, Kansas. He retired after 42 years of service as a Chief Warrant Officer 5 in 1997.
During his full happy life, Jack enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, playing cards and wintering in Arizona. His greatest joy was traveling the world with the love of his life, Betty and many adventurous trips with his children and grandchildren.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Epworth, Iowa, the Epworth American Legion-John White Post #650, the Disabled Veterans Association of Dubuque and the Peosta Knights of Columbus-Council #5513.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years. Betty McPoland of Dubuque, IA; their children, Mark (Jodie) McPoland of Epworth, IA, Lori (Gary) Milledge of Dubuque, IA, Jodi (Douglas) Warden of Dubuque, IA; 8 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; a sister, Nancy Then of Dyersville, IA; two brothers, Joseph McPoland of Sherrill, IA and Don McPoland of Los Angeles, CA.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Patrick McPoland; a sister-in-law, Janann McPoland; a brother-in-law, Joe Then; two grandchildren, Zachary McPoland and Terry McPoland; and his father and mother-in-law, Otto and Loretta Schmerbach.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque, the University of Iowa Neuro-Oncology Department and St. Patrick’s Parish in Epworth, Iowa.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www. reifffuneralhomeinc.com
The family would like to offer special recognition to Dr. Herman, Dr. Monga and their staff and to Hospice of Dubuque for their dedication, compassion and support.