John R, Locke, 84, of Waterloo died at Pinnacle Specialty Care, Sunday, March 26, 2017.

John was born January 12, 1933, in Waterloo, the son of Carroll and Margaret Harvey Locke. He married Maryann Stevens June 14, 1950, in Lancaster, MO.

John attended West High School and graduated from Kansas City College of Mortuary Science in 1954. He John was 15 he worked for the summer for the Illinois Central Railroad on the section gang, the hardest work on the railroad. He had also worked for the Waterloo Police Department and as a funeral director at Locke Funeral Home for over 50 years.

In early 1950 John joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In August 1950 before his senior year in high school his unit, “C” Battery, 6th 105 Howitzer Battalion was called to active duty. He was discharged from the Marine Corps in April 1952. John was an Honorary Lifetime Member of Local #66 International Association of Fire Fighters; Waterloo Lodge #105 A.F.&A.M., Cedar Valley Chapter #128 O.E.S., Scottish Rite, York Rite, El Kahir Shrine, Knights of Pythias, and High Twelve Club; Waterloo American Legion Post #138; Waterloo Downtown Rotary Club; Waterloo B.P.O.E. #290; and United States Power Squadron.

John loved to spend time with his family, boating and snowmobiling. He cared deeply about his responsibility to help people in their time of need and showed that through caring and compassionate help to countless families through the years. He had many friendships, acquaintances and connections throughout the community with an impact that will live along with his memory.

Survivors include: wife Maryann; daughter Jilldeane (Mike) Connolly of Mahtomedi, MN; son Jack (Janet) Locke of Waterloo; four grandchildren: Eric (Shasta) Locke of Waterloo, Elizabeth Locke of Cedar Falls, Lindsey Christensen of Waterloo, and Larissa (Landon) Treloar of Waverly; five great grandchildren: Steven, Morgan, and Kristin Locke, and Brady and Quinn Treloar; brother Fred C. (Awilda) Locke of Wilmington, NC; sister in law Thieleane Raecker of Waterloo; brother in law Scott (Pat) Stevens of Woodbury, MN; and nieces and nephews he loved dearly.

Preceded in death by: his parents, brother Dick (Gerri) Locke, and brother in law Dr. James A. Raecker

Services: 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 3,2017 at Locke Funeral Home

Burial: Waterloo Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #138 and VFW Post #1623 and US Marine Corps

Visitation: 1:00 to 6:00 Sunday, April 2nd

Memorials: Newel Post Adult Day Services

Condolences may be left at www.LockeFuneralHome.com