Jack G. Needham, 89, of Reinbeck, Iowa passed away Friday, August 3, 2012 at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Burial will follow at the Washington Township Cemetery in Morrison, Iowa, with military honors conducted by the Reinbeck American Legion Action Post # 242. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Jack was born on February 25, 1923 in Grundy County, Iowa, the son of John and Vina Needham. He graduated from Reinbeck High School with the class of 1940. Jack enlisted in the United States Navy directly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was stationed in the Ascension Islands. Jack served in the Navy for six years as a radio operator on an anti-submarine aircraft. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Iowa and began his career as a rural mail carrier. He worked as a mail carrier for many years until his retirement.
Jack was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Reinbeck and the Reinbeck American Legion Action Post # 242. Jack was an avid fisherman and loved the outdoors. After his retirement Jack spent most winters fishing in Texas. In his earlier years he and his father enjoyed time together hunting and fishing. Jack was honored to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. He will be missed and long remembered by his friends and family.
Jack is survived by his sister Anna Stearns; niece Carma (Donald) Dimke and nephew Doug (Michelle) Petersen. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Virginia Petersen and Pearl Keehn and nephew Jay Keehn.