John Henry Criss of Sac City, IA, passed away at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City on May 28, 2015, after a series of medical problems which began with a broken leg in September 2014.

   John was born April 11, 1927, in Rockford, IL, the younger of two sons of Eugene and Alice Criss.  He received the first 13 years of his education in the Sac City public schools.  John graduated in 1949 from the University of Iowa where he earned his B.A. degree in Economics.  Following graduation he was employed by Washington Manufacturing Co., a clothing manufacturer, as a salesman in Northern Illinois.

   John was drafted into the Army in 1950 serving with the 45th Division, 19th Infantry Regiment in Japan and Korea.  Following his discharge in 1952, he returned to Sac City and joined his father in Chief Clothing Co., a prominent men’s clothier in Sac City since 1929.  John remained with Chief Clothing until 1997 when he sold the business and retired.

   In memory of his great-grandfather Judge Eugene Criss, founding father of Sac City, John purchased land on main street near the bridge, contracted to have a beautiful gazebo designed and meticulously constructed there, and upon its completion presented it to the City of Sac City.  John was very proud of his heritage and Sac City and gave in many ways to his community.

   John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sac City, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and past member of the Sac City Kiwanis Club.

   John’s hobbies were golf, fishing, hunting, and stained glass art.  He also enjoyed tree planting and conservation work on his 42 acre tree farm, owning a show horse, and working in his fantastic vegetable garden.

   Survivors include his only brother Eugene and wife Emogene of Denver, CO; niece Jana Criss Hutchins of Denver, CO and Jana’s daughter Leah of Albuquerque, NM and Jana’s son Tommy of Denver, CO; nephew Kurt Criss, wife Marla and their children Annika and Kelby of Elko, NV; nephew Erik Criss, wife Marie and Erik’s daughter Elizabeth of Denver, CO; and cousin Jane Scott of Gettysburg, PA.  Other survivors include John’s special friends Dewey Reece, Renae and Joe Jacobsen and countless other long time friends in the Sac City area.

   John was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Alice Criss.