John Austin George, 93, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2015, at a Memory Care Unit of Bethany Manor in Story City, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Nevada, Iowa, on Monday, March 23 at 10:30 am, and a graveside service at the Union Township Cemetery 2 miles east of Coon Rapids on E63 at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 22, 3:00-5:00 pm at the Bacon Funeral Home, Nevada, Iowa. John was born on August 13, 1921, in Coon Rapids, IA, to Fred and Lorena (Austin) George. In World War II he served in the Navy as Electrician's Mate First Class. In 1952 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and married Marcella Burt. He taught vocational agriculture for four years, and was a Lennox heating and air conditioning dealer in Nevada for 42 years. He served on the Nevada city council and was a volunteer firefighter. John was a founding member of the Nevada chapter of Kiwanis, and a member of Golden K, the American Legion and First United Methodist Church. He made the copper steeple for the Palestine Lutheran Church near Huxley in 1958, and was an accomplished photographer who also loved playing pool, travelling, and telling jokes and stories. Survivors include his wife Marcella George, Nevada; children Gary George, Nevada, IA, Gwen (Michael) Luepke, Des Moines; Gail George, Urbandale; and grandchildren, Julie Luepke, Windsor Heights; David Luepke, Des Moines; and Kayla George, Norwalk. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lorena (Austin) George, Coon Rapids; and his siblings from Coon Rapids: Lorene Textor Schumacher, Dale George and Wade George. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Nevada or the Nevada Public Library. The family would like to give a special thank you to the caring staff at Bethany Manor. Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements.