Robert Kent Johns

Celebration of Life services for Robert "Bob" Johns, 83, of Pleasantville, Iowa, who passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025, in Knoxville, Iowa, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Motor Friends Church in rural Milo, Iowa. Visitation will be held prior to services from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Bob was born on January 18, 1942, in Creston, Iowa, to Ken and Lenora Johns. He graduated from Creston High School in 1959, where he participated in football, basketball, and track. Bob went on to attend Gustavus Adolphus College for four years, playing football, before earning his master's degree from the University of Iowa. His time in Iowa City made him a lifelong Hawkeye fan.

Linda fondly recalls a story Bob told from his Iowa City days, when he and his roommate lived in a house that was far from energy efficient. They kept a daily tally of mice caught-once reaching as many as nine in a single day.

Bob met Karna Peterson while attending Gustavus, and they were married after his graduation from the University of Iowa. From that marriage, they welcomed two children, Sarah and Nathan.

Several years after being a single parent he met Linda. They were introduced by one of Bob's high school friends. (This friend was the minister where Linda attended church.) He tried to introduce them several years before; however, Bob was scared off by the fact that Linda had 4 kids. Within a few weeks they decided to combine their households, making them a family of 6. Linda and Bob maintained a loving and supportive marriage for 42 plus years. They stayed busy chasing their children-and later their grandchildren-to countless sporting events over the years. With 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren between them, there was never a dull moment. Bob loved the games, though he also patiently endured the many 4-H projects that seemed to take over the house. He even helped by typing up the reports in the final hours before County Fair each year.

Bob's job as a social worker specialized in people with alcoholic dependence. He also helped guide people to excel in their career choices. When Bob met Linda, his job entailed giving seminars to businesses to improve customer service.

Bob is survived by his wife, Linda Johns; children, Shawn (Denise) Clark, Chad (Lori) Clark, Trevor (Rose) Clark, Angel (Dave) VanderHart, Nathan Johns, and Sarah (Adam) Steiner; grandchildren, Afton (Kellen) Floyd, Ashlee (Kirn) Stevenson, Kendel (Samantha) Clark, Marris (Colton) Gwinn, Chaz Clark, Tanner (Kaitlyn Leabo) Clark, Tristan Clark, Taylor (Kaleb Miller) Clark, Caylor Clark, Faith (Derek Brown) VanderHart, Amber (Jake) Angove, Shaelyn (Paul) Flanegan, and Evie Johns; 14 great-grandchildren; two nieces; and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Lenora Johns, and his brother, Jack Johns.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Motor Friends Church or the Pleasantville Athletic Booster Club.