Obituary of John T. Pelton

John Terrell Pelton, 59 of rural Iowa City, died Friday at Mercy Medical Center in Iowa City of prostate cancer. John was born on June 16, 1946 in Clinton, Iowa, to Rosanna Howard Pelton and Charles H. Pelton. He was educated at the University of Iowa, earning his BA and advanced degrees of Juris Doctorate, Master of Arts in Political Science and Educational Specialist. He was an MP with the United States Army during the Vietnam War. A life-long student of the financial markets, he earned the Certified Financial Planner designation. He began his political career in college, serving as the University of Iowa student body president in 1968. He was later elected to the Iowa House of Representatives from his hometown of Clinton, and served for three terms between 1976 and 1982. John and Elizabeth L. (Beth) Ford were married on May 8, 1982 in Lone Tree. Director of legal affairs and human resource council for Centro, Inc., John was active in a wide variety of civic and community organizations including the Iowa City noon Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He particularly enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors of the Preucil School of Music. He was active in the First Christian Church of Coralville. He loved physical activity, nature, travel, reading, and being with his family, friends, and pets. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 1999, Mr. Pelton actively promoted education on the subject for seven years. He participated in a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic. John’s family includes his spouse, Beth; their daughter Stephanie Gillispie, her husband Robert and three grandchildren, Amanda, Mallory and Sydney of Coralville. He is also survived by his brother Charles Howard Pelton of Clinton, Charles’ spouse, Dorothy O’Brien, 14 nieces and nephews and many friends and colleagues. Visitation will be held Monday, March 20 4-7 p.m. at Gay-Ciha Funeral Home in Iowa City and Tuesday after 9 a.m. at First Christian Church in Coralville. The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church with luncheon following. The church is located at the intersection of North Dubuque Street and Lincolnshire Place in Coralville. John will be buried at the Lone Tree Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John T. Pelton Memorial Fund. Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for John’s family and his services. Online condolences may be sent for John’s family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.