John Barry Kane

John Barry Kane, 94, of Prairie City, passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Park Center in Newton. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12 at the Prairie City United Methodist Church. A Masonic service will be held during the funeral service. Burial with Military Funeral Honors will take place at Griffiths Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Prairie City Rescue Association and any condolences left at coburnfuneralhomes.com.

The son of Oscar Richmond and Mildred (Goin) Kane, Barry was born March 5, 1927, on the family farm outside Prairie City. He graduated from Prairie City High School in 1945. In March of 1945, Barry went to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. He proudly served on the Escort Carrier, USS ROI CVE-193 for 18 months. On Jan. 5, 1956, he was united in marriage to Rose Ann Fee in a double-ring ceremony. After returning from military service he built his home for his new bride and later remodeled several houses, woodworking remained a lifelong craft. They were together for 58 years until her passing in 2014.

Barry was a proud fourth-generation Irish farmer. Alongside his father, Okie, and younger brother, Denny, the raised livestock and row cropped. After Denny’s retirement, Barry farmed the family farm alongside his son, Tim. Outside of farming, Barry traveled annually for 50 years to the Brewster Ranch to deer hunt with friends in Ten Sleep, Wyo. In Barry’s retirement, he restored and collected antique tractors that he enjoyed driving to parades and shows.

He belonged to the Prairie City United Methodist Church for 80 years and the American Legion for 75 years. Barry was an active member in the Preston Masonic Lodge in Prairie City for 69 years. He received his Master Mason Degree in 1952, served as president of the Preston Lodge in 1960 and 1979, Junior Grand Deacon in 1994 and 1995, and Junior Grand Warden in 1999 and 2000. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, Central Hawkeye Gas Engine and Tractor Association, the Racoon Valley Muzzleloader Association in Jefferson and the Collins Gun Club. He was active in the local community joining the Piddler’s Pride Manufacturing Co. that made farm sprayers and anhydrous bars, served on the Farmers COOP Exchange board for 18 years, was a member of the Jasper County Farmers Aid Association and was a long-time member of the South Central MIDL Club.

Those left to honor his memory include his brother, Dennis Kane of Bend, Ore.; two sons, Timothy John “Tink” and his wife Cindy and Brian Daniel and his wife Kathy, both of Prairie City; five grandchildren, Betsy (Matt) Kuecker, Mitchell (Laci) Kane, Kyle (Kendra) Kane, Jenna Rae (Mike) Carter and Kara (Brody) Sullivan; and seven great-grandchildren, Aiden, John and Brooklyne Kuecker, Axel and Ace Kane, Jaelyn Kane and Kane Sullivan; as well as many nieces and nephews, including Pat Kane and Cynthia Kane Zath. Preceding Barry in death were his parents; wife (Rose Anne) in 2014; baby brother; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Kane and Betty Kruger, Ilene Reed; and brothers-in-law Jerry Krueger and Rod Fee.