John Diedrich Ives

On October 17th, 2023, John Ives passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90.  John was born March 26, 1933 in Pocahontas County Iowa (near Rolfe).  His family relocated to a farm in Floyd, Iowa where John lived until he attended college at Marquette University in 1952.  After his first year of college, John was drafted by the Army during the Korean War.  He completed his basic training at Fort Riley (Kansas) and then was part of the 127th infantry division near Salzburg, Austria.  He was grateful for those years that gave him the opportunity to serve his country and see new places, especially Austria.  He returned to college at Iowa State University where he completed his degree in Civil Engineering and immediately went to work for the Iowa Department of Transportation based in Davenport, Iowa.

During his time in Davenport, he met the love of his life, Madeline DeFayette, and they were married on February 6,1960.  They moved to Cedar Rapids/Marion, Iowa where he worked for Martin Marietta and had five children.  In the following years, the family had several moves between Iowa and Indiana, and ultimately settled in Covington, Indiana where the family called home for the last 48 years.  John worked for Interstate Sand and Gravel and later purchased Del Storm Products, a window and awning fabricator, from which he retired in 2022 at the age of 89.

He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Mary Margaret, Madeline, his wife of 45 years, and brothers Jim & Orville.  He is survived by his five children, Julie Lemke, Gina (Rick) Plapp, Daniel Ives, David (Janet) Ives, Becky Ives, grandchildren Caroline (Charlie) Mattingly, Connor Lemke, Olivia (Kip) Kyle, Audrey Plapp, Evan Plapp, and three great grandchildren, Cora Olker, Anna Mattingly, and Madeline Mattingly.  He will also be missed by his brothers Gerald, Hillary, Gail, and Dennis Ives; sister, Vera Kasel, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob & Helen DeFayette, and multitudes of nieces and nephews who loved Uncle John.

John and Madeline shared their love of Christ as devout Catholics, which included saying the rosary on every leg of family trips.  Friendly, outgoing, and generous, John loved to help others and did so in many ways, big and small.  Graduating as the shortest kid in his high school class and being one of eight children, he developed a “toughness” that he carried throughout his life.  A community leader, he was involved at church serving on parish councils and as a lector.  He was active in The Lions Club and several professional organizations.  He was VFW Post Commander and President of Ducks Unlimited.  He loved the game of golf and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tromping through marshes with family and friends.  John, the storyteller, often recounted adventures of farm life and always enjoyed conversing with friends and family and never met a stranger.

Calling will be Friday, October 27th, 2023 at Shelby Funeral Home, 622 Third Street, Covington, IN with rosary at 4:45 P. M. and continue with visitation 5:00 P. M. until 8:00 P. M. EDT.  The funeral mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Covington at 11:00 A. M. EDT Saturday, October 28th.  Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be considered to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 308 Pearl, Covington, IN 47932, or the Covington Community Foundation, ATTN: John & Madeline Ives Community Fund, P.O. Box 175, Covington, IN. 47932 or online at www.wicf-inc.org

Rosery

Shelby Funeral Home

Friday, October 27, 2023 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM 622 Third Street
Covington, IN 47932 Directions Visitation

Shelby Funeral Home

Friday, October 27, 2023 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 622 Third Street
Covington, IN 47932 Directions Funeral Mass

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Saturday, October 28, 2023 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Third and Pearl Streets
Covington, IN 47932 Directions