John L. Rash, age 77 of Mesa, Ariz., and Rock Port, Mo., (formerly Hamburg, Ia.) passed away on Friday, March 10, 2017, at Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert, Ariz.
John was born on August 2, 1939, in Onawa, Ia., the son of Franklin W. and June Dorine (Brown) Rash. At a young age, the family moved to Hamburg and John attended school. He graduated from the Hamburg High School with the class of 1957. He later attended Peru State College, Peru, Neb.
He was united in marriage to Linda Laine Hays on June 19, 1960, in Watson, Mo., and to this union three sons were born: John, Kent and James. Linda preceded him in death on November 4, 2013.
While living in Hamburg, John worked at various places including driving the Hamburg School bus, the Colonial Theater, and his parents’ drug store. He also operated the bowling alley (Johnny’s Lanes) in Hamburg. He started J & K Vending Company and later purchased CHC Vending in Council Bluffs. In 1980, he sold the company and retired. He was a 32nd degree Mason.
John is survived by his three sons: John L. Rash, Jr. of Los Angeles, Cal., Kent W. Rash and friend Lisa DeReinzo of Cypress, Cal., and James C. Rash and friend Angie Pederson of Huntington Beach, Cal.; grandchildren: Cary Rash of Anaheim, Cal., and Ashleigh Pearce of Los Angeles, Cal.; brothers: Frank Rash, Jr. of Beatrice, Neb., and Richard Rash and wife Diane of Arizona City, Ariz.; brother-in-law Jerry Hays and wife Florence, of Sedalia, Mo.; nieces and nephews: Franklin W. Rash, III of Leawood, Ks., Dennis Rash of Beatrice, Neb., Scott Rash of Menlo Park Cal., Christine Rash-Lyons of Lincoln, Neb., Cynthia Skinner of Lincoln, Neb., and Jennifer Morgan of Papillion, Neb.; and other family and friends.
In addition to his wife Linda, he was preceded in death by his parents and a sister-in-law, Janice Rash.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Hamburg, Ia. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery southeast of Hamburg.
The family will greet friends Tuesday, March 21, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, Ia.
Memorials may be given to Shiners Hospital in his memory. Condolences may be left at www.gudefuneralhomes.com. Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, Ia., is in charge of arrangements.
John L. Rash
March 24, 2017