March 28, 2024

Schermerhorn family: Thank you, Newton

To the editor:

This letter is to thank the fine people of Newton, Iowa.

On Jan. 10, our family lost its patriarch, John Schermerhorn. John was a native Newtonian. He left Newton in 1952, and moved his wife, Kathleen, and two young children to Paramount, Calif.

John and Kay had two more children and remained in California until his retirement in the late 1980s. Although John left Newton for nearly 40 years, he always thought of Newton as home.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but the fine people of Newton went to work and made our family’s loss a little more bearable.

I would like to publicly thank all of those friends who sent cards, offered personal condolences and prayers. So many good friends!

I would also like to thank the staff at Wallace Family Funeral Home for their professional, yet personal assistance in organizing, scheduling and orchestrating John’s services. Also, the members of Newton Masonic Lodge #59, who organized and conducted Brother John’s Masonic Memorial Services.

Also, to the ladies of the Newton American Legion Post 111 Auxiliary, who organized, prepared and served a delicious and plentiful post-service luncheon. And to the staff of the Newton Holiday Inn Express, who went above and beyond to make sure that our out-of-town family had clean and comfortable rooms.

To bagpiper Ron Husted, for accomodating John’s request during the winter weather. He had to be very cold in that kilt.

Also, those loyal American Legion Post 111 riders who stood outside, at attention, at the church and cemetery as John’s casket passed by.

And, to the ever-present members of the American Legion Post 111, Sons of the Legion Squadron, for their participation in the Honor Guard. Also, the Newton Police and Fire departments’ Honor Guard, for standing at attention as John’s procession passed by.

Last and certainly not least, to the men of the Newton American Legion Post 111 Honor Guard. John was an Honor Guard member for more than 20 years.

These men were all friends of his, and their commitment to honoring a fallen comrade is above reproach.

They were, in alphabetical order: Chaz Allen, Doug Bishop, Paul Brown (Honor Guard Commander), Chris Chartier, Gary Clemon, Dale Maki, Marvin Morris, Bob Thorsen and Keith Weter.

I — we — will never forget the outpouring of love for our beloved John. Thank you one and all.

Wallace (Wally) Schermerhorn

and the Schermerhorn family