John was born on July 3, 1935 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Leo Reardon and Helen Gardner Reardon. He was a member of the last graduating class of Catholic Central High in 1953 with a class of 21 boys. John was the last living member of this class who had a reunion every five years up until 2013. John had many humorous stories to tell of how his classmates pulled many a prank on the nuns who taught them. He joined the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War as a radio communications operator for 4 years. He returned to Ottumwa in 1957 and began working at KBIZ radio, typing copy for a meager paycheck. He then became the overnight disc jockey. With his good looks and outgoing demeanor, he joined the sales team and his knack for talking to strangers and no fear of rejection allowed him to become successful in selling an intangible product – radio ads.

John was a prominent figure in Iowa broadcasting. He was general manager of KBIZ until 1986. He moved to Marshalltown in 1987 to take on the role of General Manager for KFJB-KXIA. He also managed the process to evolve KXIA into a live country music station with promotions, contests, and audience involvement. It is now known as Iowa’s Best Country KIX 101.1. He hired and surrounded himself with dedicated employees who had lots of fun working promotions. He officially retired from radio in 2001. In 2017, John became an Iowa Broadcasting Hall of Famer.

A member of John’s former sales team at KIX described him “as a true radio guy. He loved it and he understood small market radio. He was an idea guy who was a great promoter and cared about those who worked for him and for the community. He was a good guy to work for.”

John met Nancy in the summer of 1960. She worked in the doctor’s office below the radio station, in downtown Ottumwa. He asked her to lunch one day and they walked to the infamous Canteen in the alley. Nine months later they were married on April 22, 1961 and were honeymooners in Colorado. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. John and Nancy were diligent about taking summer family vacations with their children, often driving to Estes Park to camp in Rocky Mountain National Park. John had promised Nancy that when he retired, they would move to Colorado to fulfill her dream of “seeing the mountains out her kitchen window.” They lived in Windsor, CO for a few years to enjoy the mountain air and sunshine before returning to Marshalltown to be more involved with their grandchildren. He assisted his son with his business, Those Ink Guys, driving around to small town businesses to promote sales and make deliveries. John never knew a stranger.

John was of steady and reliable character, ambitious and witty. Throughout his life, he was always looking to support a good cause and better the community. Many promotions and fundraisers were organized by John on his dining room table at home. He was one of the original founders of the Octoberfest in Ottumwa and carried that idea to Marshalltown and it became the Oktemberfest. He was also the original organizer of the Holiday Stroll in Marshalltown. John was involved with Marshalltown Community College Athletics and Tiger Club. While working for KIX, he brought many (now famous) country music performers to Marshalltown. He was a fan of all genres of music, especially Michael Bublé. The radio came on at sunrise in the household. John’s favorite color was red which could have something to do with all his beloved teams: Ottumwa Bulldogs, Marshalltown Bobcats, Iowa State Cyclones, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs. He was a “car guy” who took great pride in each vehicle he owned, handwashing and waxing them in the back yard. He had an enthusiasm for car racing and took his family to the dirt track races in Eldon, Oskaloosa, as well as the sprint car races in Knoxville. This grew into a love of NASCAR racing which is now being broadcasted on KIX 101.1.

If you knew John, you knew how much he loved football. Just like John, sports brings people together and instills hope. When things looked bleak for the home team, he was known to say, “plenty of time left on the clock,” knowing that one trick play or hail Mary can be the gamechanger. John made it to double overtime in his life, with an undefeated season.

Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 65 years, Nancy, his three children: John Patrick Reardon (Debbie Groves) of Ankeny; Jill Ahn of Des Moines, and Heidi Ames of Palm Desert, CA. Grandchildren: Tyler, Levi, Sawyer, Bradi, and Becker Reardon, Dylaneigh (Louis) Hiza, and Victoria (Gregg) Max. He was also blessed with three great grandchildren, Holland Hiza, and twins, Landon and Eleanor Max. John was blessed with many nieces and nephews who will fondly remember him as Uncle Johnny.

In Heaven, John will be reunited with his parents, brother, Donald, and sisters, Evelyn Kreutzbender and Vivian Nichols; his wife’s parents and brother; nephews, David Nichols and Marty Kreutzbender, niece Susan Kreutzbender; and a grandson, Spenser Ahn. He was also preceded in death by countless dear friends, neighbors and coworkers. There will be an exuberant class reunion with the boys of Catholic Central.

When Nancy developed Alzheimers dementia and although John was of sound mind, he chose to live with the love of his life in the memory care unit of The Willows. He was loved by staff and will be dearly missed. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. “Faith Family Football” was a slogan John had printed on the back of a red Cyclone Football t-shirt.

Per John’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. John’s funeral service has been scheduled for 2:30 PM on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. All are invited to attend a visitation with the family beginning at 1:30 PM. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for John and his family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

~Lovingly written by the family