Obituaries : John 'JP' Pickart

John James “JP” Pickart, 68, of Norway, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2014. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2014 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Norway with Fr. Dennis Juhl presiding. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, where full military rites will be conducted. A 3:30 p.m. parish vigil will be held followed by visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Church. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.

John was born December 9, 1945 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Cliff and Connie (Disterhoft) Pickart. JP is survived by his children Michael (Tammy) Pickart of Newhall and Emily Pickart of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren Noah and Lillie Pickart; former wife Cheryl Pickart of Cedar Rapids; mother Connie Pickart of Cedar Rapids; siblings Stella Siver of Cedar Rapids, Tom (Jill) Pickart of Oelwein, Andy (Sandra) Pickart of Cedar Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.

John attended St. Michael’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Norway High School in 1963. JP served in the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer from 1966-1969. He was stationed in Vietnam where he proudly served during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Following his military service, he worked as a mechanic in Huntington Beach, California until returning to Iowa in 1973. JP was self employed as a metal fabricator for Railings, Inc. and JP’s Hall of Fame Bar, in Norway, for many years. JP enjoyed fishing, hunting, racing, card playing, and pool league. He entertained friends and family on Facebook and turned anything he was part of into a fun time. He was an avid sports fan, with a lifetime passion for the Chicago Cubs, and was the PA announcer for the Norway Bandits baseball team. His home on the Pickart Century Farm was close to his heart, where he cherished spending family time, especially with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, three infant siblings, and a brother-in-law John Siver.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.