John Charles Wirtz

John Charles Wirtz was born March 31, 1940, in Clinton, Iowa. He was given up for adoption as an infant; and adopted by Catherine and Anton Wirtz of Maquoketa Iowa.

John graduated from Maquoketa Highschool class in 1958. He excelled in football and, especially basketball, playing shooting guard and averaging 20 points a game. John made sure to remind everyone over his lifetime; that this was the era BEFORE three-point baskets, and he would have had over 30 a game in the modern rules.

John attended Loras College, obtaining a bachelor's degree in social sciences. He played basketball there and next graduated from Loyola University Chicago earning a master's degree in social work.

John served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam era, working stateside at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as a counselor to servicemen. He met his wife of 58 years, Ruth Ann Days at a party in Maquoketa, Iowa in 1967 and was married that same year in the fall. John initially worked in Chicago in social services, and later Davenport and Muscatine, Iowa for the rest of his long career. John was Father to 2 children, and grandfather to 3. He moved in retirement to North Liberty, Iowa to be closer to his daughter and grandson.

In retirement he enjoyed a daily routine of watching television news, running errands to places like grocery stores, banks, city hall and other daily stops giving good natured ribbing (and often, donuts) to the employees who loved his visits and sense of in your face humor. He was known also to frequently visit the one arm bandit in Riverside, Iowa.

He will be greatly missed.

John is preceded in death by spouse, Ruth Ann Dyas Wirtz. He is survived by son, Jason (Taunya), daughter, Amy and grandchildren, Ingrid, Luke, John whom he loved beyond measure.

There's definitely a 3-point line where you are now, John.