John Ivan Reiss, 86, passed away Monday, May 25, 2026 at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics following a short illness.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton.  Per his wishes, there will be no funeral service.  Private family inurnment at LaRue Quaker Cemetery in rural Van Horne will take place at a later date.

John was born December 16, 1939 to Ivan and Esther (Strellner) Reiss.  He was a member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Van Horne having served in a number of roles during his membership.  He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Van Horne High School with the class of 1958.  He was in the Army National Guard from 1961 to 1964.  He was a past member and President of the Benton County Fair Board .  He was also a member of the Pioneer Cemetery Commission.

John married Ardis Cowlishaw on September 30, 1961 in Waterloo, Iowa.  John farmed until 2005 and also served as an insurance agent and adjuster for many years.  He often shared stories about adjusting including the fact he only got kicked off of one farm – and that was by the farmer's wife.  He enjoyed vacations to Colorado, reading, seeing the countryside from the passenger seat, stock car racing, the Chicago Cubs and Hawkeye basketball.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Ardis; son Jeff (Ann) Reiss of Christmas, Florida and daughter, Kathy (Larry) Schoenfelder of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; five grandchildren, Amanda Ewoldt of Christmas, Florida, Katelyn (Will) Spencer of Jacksonville, Florida, Aaron (Melissa) Lockwood of Ida Grove, Iowa, Haley Lockwood (Skyler Balero) of Talent, Oregon and Connor Lockwood (Seth Cobb) of Mt. Vernon, Iowa; and two great-grandchildren Emmett Lockwood and Charlie Elaine Lockwood of Ida Grove, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Esther Reiss as well as his in-laws Yeoman and Erma Cowlishaw; sister and brother-in-law Leta Mae (Richard) Christy and brother and sister-in law George (Carma) Reiss.

He had over 86 good years and one shitty month!

A memorial fund has been established.  Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences can be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.