John Jerome Van Natta Sr.

John J. Van Natta, Sr., 79, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, May 13, 2017 in Iowa Park, Texas. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, from 6-8 PM, and a Rosary at 7 PM at Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Saint Benedict Orthodox Church, Wichita Falls with Father Peter Kavanaugh officiating. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery in Iowa Park.

John was born December 23, 1937 to John Rome and Agnes Van Natta in Dresden, Missouri. He graduated from Smith Cotton High School in Sedalia, Missouri. He attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona and continued his work on his B.S. and Masters Degrees at Sul Ross State University at Alpine, Texas.

After graduation, he continued to further his studies at Missouri State University, Arizona State University, and University of California State. He was an educator. John also loved to garden, fish, travel and visit with friends and family. He married Mae Walz on May 26, 1962. They have lived in Iowa Park since 1988.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Mae; daughter, Amy Van Natta of Iowa Park; son, John Van Natta, Jr. of Wichita Falls, Texas; granddaughter, Alexander Van Natta of Iowa Park; sister, Priscilla Sue Corson of La Mesa, California; nephew and wife, Garry and Glenda Holms of Iowa Park; and many other family members in New Jersey, California, and Missouri. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Eddie Mullin of New Jersey.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Wichita Falls and to Saint Benedicts Orthodox Church in Wichita Falls. Please share your tributes with the family by visiting www.duttonfuneralhome.com.