John Charles Wirtz

1940 - 2025

John Charles Wirtz

March 31, 1940 - September 29, 2025

John Charles Wirtz was born March 31, 1940, in Clinton, Iowa. He was given up for adoption as an infant and was 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 points 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 two children, and grandfather to three. 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-armed bandit in Riverside, Iowa.

He will be greatly missed.

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

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

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.