John M. McLaughlin Jr.

John M. McLaughlin Jr., age 67, of Dubuque, IA, passed away peacefully at 2:44 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at home surrounded by his loving family. To honor John's life, funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1410 Main Street with Rev. Kathleen Milligan officiating. To celebrate John's life, family and friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery. John was born on April 14, 1948, in Dubuque, IA, son of John M. and Clara (Wolter) McLaughlin Sr. John married Viola "Babe" Mihalakis on November 25, 1967, at St. John's Episcopal Church. He was employed with the City of Dubuque as a heavy equipment operator for over 20 years until his retirement. In his free time John enjoyed fishing, stock car racing, bowling with family and friends and playing with his grandchildren. John was always a go getter with a tenacious work ethic who never sat still. He had a heart of gold, which he wore proudly on his sleeve, and graciously accepted everyone for whom they were. John's greatest accomplishment is clearly discovered in the creation of such a loving legacy within his family. He was an honorable man in all aspects of life and will be sadly and deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know and love him. John is survived by his loving wife, Viola "Babe" McLaughlin, Dubuque, IA; six children, John (Diane) McLaughlin III, Bettendorf, IA, Stacey McLaughlin, Dubuque, IA, Amy (Bob) Blum, Verona, WI, Heather (Jason) Scherr, Dubuque, IA, Justin McLaughlin, Dubuque, IA, Kimberly (Brian) Lochner, Dubuque, IA; 19 grandchildren; John IV and Dalton McLaughlin, Zacharie and Quentin McLaughlin, Owen and Grayson Ohnesorge, Alex, Adeline, Ethan and Lilliah Blum, Lauralyn (Keith) McGinnis, Colten and Dustin Scherr, Tylor, Maguel, Christopher and Zander McLaughlin, Isabella and Isaac Lochner; his mother, Clara McLaughlin, Dubuque, IA; and three siblings, Diane (George "Sonny") Peil, Dubuque, IA, Sharon (Tom) Spiegelhalter, Dubuque, IA, Danny (Dawn) McLaughlin, Eldridge, IA. John was preceded in death by his father, John M. McLaughlin Sr. A John M. McLaughlin Jr. memorial fund has been established. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Dawn, for the wonderful care they provided John and the family.