John Robert Tarbell's Obituary
John Robert Tarbell, 75, of rural Centerville, died at his home April 26, 2023. John was born on September 11, 1947, in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Mansel and Mildred (Irwin) Tarbell. With the exception of the time he served in the US Army and a few years in Nevada and Arizona, he had lived in Appanoose County all of his life.
John spent his boyhood on a farm west of the Rathbun Lake, with his parents and three brothers. He graduated from Moravia High School in 1966. Shortly after high school, he joined the United States Army and served most of the next two years in Vietnam. For the past 25-30 years, he has lived on an acreage near Centerville. During that time, he co-owned Pond View Pups, where he and his partner raised dogs, starting with dachshunds. The business grew and included several designer dogs and in later years, bull dogs. and shipped them all over the United States. John liked to "socialize" the puppies to get them ready for their new homes. John worked as a rural mail carrier for the US post office for several years, and retired from there when he was 70 years of age.
John loved to work on cars and other vehicles and equipment. It was while he was doing this that an accident tragically took his life.
John was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents and his twin brother, James Joseph Tarbell, who died as an infant. He is survived by his brothers, Ben Tarbell and wife Monna of Altoona, Iowa; Steve Tarbell and wife, Gail, of near Melrose, Iowa; and Fred Tarbell, of Denver, Colorado; also, nieces and nephews: Kristi (Tarbell) Boyce of Des Moines, Iowa, Lisa (Tarbell) Norlin of Wisconsin, Joe 'Sef Tarbell of Urbandale, Iowa, Jeff Tarbell of Florida and Jamie Tarbell of Denver, Colorado.
Per his wishes, cremation has been accorded. No service is planned at this time. Memorials may be made to the Family of John Tarbell, to be determined at a later date, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Tarbell family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
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