One of only four surviving mayors of Newton passed away Friday afternoon.
John Schermerhorn, who was born and raised in Newton before joining the military and moving to California, returned later in life to his hometown. He served a term as mayor from 1993 to 1995, and ran again for office in 2003.
Schermerhorn passed away Friday afternoon. Funeral details have not yet been announced. His opponent in the 2003 race, Chaz Allen, remembered their interactions during the "heat" of their campaign.
"All I knew about John at the time, was that he had been the Mayor before and had the support of several very vocal and tenured council members," he said. "For about eight weeks, we each took our shot at trying to earn your vote and in the end two things happened, I became your mayor and John Schermerhorn became my friend."
Allen said he met Schermerhorn for the first time just before their first mayoral debate. But, rather than talk about the campaign, or city politics, they instead talked about baseball.
"From that point on I realized that I really like this guy," he said. "The campaign went on. Only now I knew, if I lost, it was to a very good person."
Allen called Schermerhorn a "huge cheerleader for Newton." He said the former mayor was a great public servant, a veteran and a good person.
Allen's successor, current Newton Mayor Mike Hansen, said that while he didn't know Schermerhorn quite as well as Allen, he had met Schermerhorn a couple of times over the years.
"My thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."
Jasper County Treasurer Doug Bishop, who headed up the Jasper County Honor Flights, responded to Schermerhorn's passing, as well.
"John Schermerhorn was a WWII vet, former Mayor of Newton, and a continuous supporter of his fellow vets as a longtime officer of the Newton Legion Post 111," he said. "In my own life he was a leader, friend and tremendous mentor to me personally ... John was one of several Schermerhorn brothers that wore our country's uniform. He continued as a public servant throughout the rest of his life."