John P. Jarman, Jr.

John Patrick Jarman, Jr., 98, was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 19, 1926, and passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church. The family will be present at the church one hour before the service.

John was the youngest of eight children born to John and Anna (Uthe) Jarman. He attended St. Joseph’s Grade School, Trinity Prep, and Central High School in Sioux City. At 17, before completing high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served as a signalman aboard LST 860, supporting assaults in the Pacific theater and transporting both Marines and Army soldiers.

After returning home from the war, John attended Morningside College and the University of South Dakota before discovering his true calling—sales. He had a natural gift for connecting with people, a talent that served him well throughout his long career. In his early years, he sold electric vacuum cleaners to rural customers, who were not currently attached to the grid, using a generator to demonstrate their value. But the work that defined much of John’s professional life began in 1952 when he joined ACE Dry Goods Company, a wholesale business. John quickly made his mark as a skilled and trusted salesman. In 1965, he became a partner in the business, a role he held with great pride and dedication for many years until his retirement in 1989. During retirement, John transitioned into real estate sales, where he continued to bring his personal touch, sharp mind and sense of humor to every interaction.

In 1954, John married Madonna R. Malloy at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Jefferson, South Dakota. The couple initially made their home in Sioux City before moving to Denison, Iowa, and later to Norfolk, Nebraska, before returning to Sioux City in 1965. They raised four children together: Tim (Colleen) Jarman, Annette (Russ) Wiltgen, Joel (Nancy) Jarman and Julie (Jason) Anderson. John and Madonna were blessed with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

John was a lifelong Catholic, a devoted Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball fan, and a passionate golfer and pheasant hunter for many decades. But the way he liked to relax best was working on jigsaw puzzles. He was such an avid puzzler that he eventually received his own puzzle table at Holy Spirit and their Activity Room was named in his honor.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Madonna; his parents; all seven of his siblings; and his son-in-law, Russ Wiltgen.

John’s family would like to thank the staff of Holy Spirit Retirement Home for their compassionate and attentive care. They also wish to acknowledge the excellent care John received at Heritage at Northern Hills where he lived before moving to Holy Spirit. Finally, the family wishes to thank St. Croix Hospice for providing care to John and support to his family during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Retirement Home, St. Croix Hospice or the Siouxland Soup Kitchen, where John and Madonna were volunteers in its early years.