- Born on: March 26, 1950
- Departed on: June 17, 2025
- Resided in: Marion, IA
John Charles Barnts
John Charles Barnts, 75, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, of natural causes. He was born on March 26, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Harry and Kathryn Barnts.
He attended Alburnett High School and went on to graduate from Iowa State University, where he forged lifelong friendships and created lasting memories. He was a proud member of the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity and remained an avid fan of Iowa State Cyclone athletics.
John was a loving girl dad, proud Opa, and beloved husband. His neighbors were a cherished part of his later years. He was known for being king of the “Dad Jokes”, making the finest pancakes, and having a crisp $20 bill in his pocket for a daughter.
He is survived by his wife, Penny Barnts; daughters, Kate (Warren) Lyon of Hiawatha, IA; Anna (Nick Lehrter) Barnts of Cedar Rapids, IA; Mattie (Nathan Flathers) Barnts of Denver, CO; and Melanie (Yochai Harel) Rainbow-Harel of Iowa City, IA; and grandchildren, Emmett and Maggie Lyon and Emilia and Teodor Harel; brothers-in-law, Steve (Verlee) Terwilliger; Joe (Christy) Barger; sister-in-law, Barb Smith; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Kathryn Barnts; his sister, Kay Christian; brothers-in-law, Dean Christian, Mark Terwilliger, and Dan Smith; and granddaughter, Cecilia McKinley.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Science General Scholarship Fund in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Contributions can be made online at https://isuf.my.site.com/portal/s/give or mailed to the Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Blvd, P.O. Box 2230, Ames, IA 50010.
