John Stephen Wehrle's Obituary
John Stephen "Steve" Wehrle died on May 25, 2023 at his home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, surrounded by family after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 76 .
Steve was born August 19, 1946, in Centerville, Iowa, to Everett and Maxine (Miller) Wehrle, the third of five children.
After graduating from Centerville High School in 1964, Steve attended Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1968, and would serve in Vietnam as part of the First Infantry Division until May 1970. Upon his discharge he completed his bachelors of science in psychology at IWU, and then a received mortuary diploma from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in suburban Chicago, Illinois.
Steve would return to Centerville to help run the family business, the Miller-Wehrle Funeral Home, and marry Melissa Anderson in June 1973. Though devoted to the business he found the schedule incompatible with a growing family, and in 1979 switched careers, becoming a rural carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. The move gave him greater freedom to enjoy his other passions like raising cattle and spending time out on the family farm near Plano, Iowa.
A faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Centerville, Steve served in roles including finance and stewardship committee chair, lead for Methodist Men, and was beloved as a Sunday School instructor and youth group leader. His dedication to the church knew few bounds, and he could often be found vacuuming the halls, mowing the lawn or even acting in a church play.
Steve loved sports. Playing neighborhood sports with friends was a formative part of his childhood, and Steve was a member of Big Red golf, basketball and track teams; he briefly held the CHS shot put record. He was a dedicated Iowa Hawkeyes fan and had a special enthusiasm for track and field. Appropriately, he contributed his time for many seasons as an official for CHS Big Red and Howar Junior High meet events, earning an honorary accolade for years of service.
Among all his interests, golf held a special place in his heart. Steve loved simply being around the game, whether he was playing a round himself, watching the pro tour, or just walking a course collecting stray golf balls. He learned to play at the Appanoose County Country Club, where he'd later be a long-time member, set a course record and win the men's club championship in 1984.
In retirement, Steve's focus turned toward even closer to his family, whom he cherished spending time with. He and Melissa moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota, in 2011 to be closer to new grandchildren. Life in a bigger city afforded him new passions like attending theater, exploring area lakes and parks, and dining out at new restaurants. He enjoyed spending winters in Palm Desert, California, and summers on East Lake Okoboji, Iowa, where entertaining family outdoors might have been his ultimate past-time.
Above all else, Steve truly enjoyed people. Wherever he went, his gentle smile and warm affability would earn new friends near and far. Regardless of who you were, he was eager hear your story; when he spoke to others about you, he was proud to know you.
Steve died just one month shy of celebrating 50 years of marriage to the love of his life, Melissa.
Steve is survived by his wife Melissa (Anderson), brother James Mark Wehrle and sister Susan Sanders, son Drew (Baomy) of Chicago, Illinois, daughter Elizabeth Deacon (Nick) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and four grandchildren, Graham, Frederick, Della and Everett. He will be missed immeasurably.
Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church of Centerville, Iowa, or the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian and development arm of The United Methodist Church.
Per wishes, cremation has been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church of Centerville, Iowa, or the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian and development arm of The United Methodist Church and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Wehrle 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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