The Reverend John Paul Scherb

1951 - 2025

The Reverend John Paul Scherb

October 26, 1951 - January 1, 2025

The Reverend John Paul Scherb passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, at UnityPoint - Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 1, 2025. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Iles Brandt Chapel, 1301 Ash Street, Dallas Center, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Dallas Center United Methodist Church, Dallas Center. Interment will be 1 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Harlington Cemetery, Waverly, Iowa.

John was born in Waverly, Iowa, on October 26, 1951, to Paul and Adeline (Narveson) Scherb. As a boy, John enjoyed being outside and especially playing with his favorite dog, Corky, who John shared many stories about. John was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America growing up and was proud to have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. From Kindergarten through eighth grade, John attended St. Paul's Lutheran School in Waverly before starting at Waverly-Shell Rock High. While attending Waverly-Shell Rock High School, John enjoyed competing on the gymnastics team.

Following high school, John attended Wartburg College before transferring to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. While in Washington, John began dabbling into photography and could oftentimes be spotted with a camera or video camera capturing memories. John graduated with a major in communications. Following graduation, John spent a year working in Los Angeles before returning to Waverly.

After his return from Washington, John began volunteering at a homeless youth ministry in Northeastern Iowa. Here, he met Carol Ann Miller. After many, many attempts, Carol finally agreed to a date with John. The two fell in love and were wed on November, 13, 1976. Their union was blessed with three boys, Joshua, Zachary, and Christopher. After their wedding, John returned to school at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque for one year before transferring to Bethel University where he completed his studies.

Following seminary, John began working for the United Methodist Church Denomination. John served for almost three decades as pastor of churches in Albernett, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Quimby, Washta, Dallas Center, Rockwell and Swaledale, all in Iowa, and retired after pastoring in Glenville, Minn.

In his free time, John enjoyed hunting for mushrooms, fishing, and spending time with his wife and kids. He was always excited and honored to help officiate the weddings of his family and friends.

After 38 beautiful years of marriage, John was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol. John was also preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Adeline; and four grandchildren. John is survived by his sisters, Kathy (Dave) Voorhes of Northwood, Iowa, and Elaine Scherb Farrell of Bentonville, Ark.; sons, Joshua Scherb of Des Moines, Iowa, Zachary (Amy) Scherb of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Christopher (Maressa) Scherb of Earlham, Iowa; five granddaughters, Kiara, Kayla, Khloe, Adeline, and Magdalene, and many cherished nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and loved ones.

The service will be livestreamed. A link will appear on John's obituary page at www.IlesCares.com, where you may also leave online condolences. Memorial contributions may be directed to Children International.

Arrangements by Iles Brandt Chapel, Dallas Center, Iowa.