John Reilly DeTellem

Mr. John R. DeTellem, 81, of DeWitt, Iowa, died Tuesday evening, March 4, 2025, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.

John Reilly DeTellem was the second son born to the late Joseph William and Marguerite May (Kolfenbach) DeTellem, November 18, 1943, in Jacksonville, Illinois. He grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, and Freeport, Illinois. When he was seventeen, John enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on the USS Bausell DD845, was a plank owner on the USS Halsey DLG23 and served on the USS Dale DLG19. John achieved the rank of E-5 Sonarman and was honorably discharged November 17, 1964, following four years of faithful service. He returned to freeport where he met Christine Carol Sullivan. The couple was married June 15, 1966. They resided in Aurora, Illinois, and their marriage was blessed with three children. John began his thirty-year career with Caterpillar on August 26, 1966, working for two years at the Aurora Facility where he completed a two-year Cat training course in welding and fabrication. In 1969 the family moved to rural Clinton County, Iowa. John transferred to the Caterpillar Mount Joy, Iowa, facility. There he completed another Cat training course in Machine Shop. John was one of a handful of employees to complete the two different training programs. In July of 1987, following the closer of the Mount Joy plant, he was transferred to the Mossville, Illinois, facility. He retired from Cat as a Planning Engineer, June 30, 1996. Christine preceded John in death November 13, 1983, at the age of 36 years old. He married Judith “Judy” Ruggeberg Wulf September 15, 1984. The couple resided in rural DeWitt and Judy preceded him in death August 19, 2023.

In retirement, John took several extended vacations each Spring and Fall to see America. He loved gardening both flowers and vegetables, woodworking and collecting and driving collectable cars.

Survivors include, twin children, John Charles DeTellem of Georgia and Dianna Marie (Bill) Meyermann of Indiana; a son, William James DeTellem of Florida; grandchildren Amanda and Jake Meyermann,, Derrick (Christianna) DeTellem and Kendra (Wyatt) Bryant; great-grandchildren, Aaliyah and Bodhi Meyermann and Felicity and Chloe Bryant; step-children, Rebecca Kay (Jay) Neudecker and Nancy Irene (Tom) Welsh; step-grandchildren, Dylan (Bailey) McDevitt, Allison (Dylan) Welsch, Lukas Buhler, Owen Buhler, and Miranda Buhler; step-great-grandchildren, William McDevitt and Houston Welsch; sisters, Anna Marie (Herman) Bennis and Millie Jean (Dean) Meier.

In addition to his parents and wives, John was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph Reilly DeTellem, and James Reilly DeTellem,

Military Rites by Eugene McManus American Legion Post #238 of DeWitt and the United States Navy will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the DeWitt Area Veterans Memorial.  Entombment will follow at Rock Island National Cemetery. 

Ackerman Funeral Directors & Cremation Service are honored to be caring for John and his family during these difficult days.(563) 659-8574.

Rest in peace, John. Cheers!