John Latcham, 93, of Grinnell, died Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A funeral service with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, at Grinnell United Methodist Church. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Interment will be held privately at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Memorials may be designated to the John Latcham Memorial Fund to benefit local organizations and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Lyle John Latcham was born the son of Howard Milton and Cecil Annetta (Olson) Latcham on Mar. 14, 1929, in Grinnell. He was raised in Montezuma and graduated with the Class of 1947 from Montezuma High School.
John was united in marriage to Dorothy Johanna Versendaal on Aug. 29, 1950, in Sully. Their marriage was blessed with six children: Dianna, Janice, Allen, David, Judith, and Carol. John honorably served in the United States Army as a Corporal from 1951 until 1957 during the Korean War. They raised their family in Sully and later in Montezuma, where John farmed for several years. They moved to Grinnell, and John was employed at Donaldson as a welder. After 33 years with Donaldson, he retired in 1995. John was a member of the Eagles, Izaak Walton League, Elks Lodge, and Grinnell United Methodist Church. His enjoyments were reading National Geographic magazines, drawing airplanes, hunting, and fishing, especially fishing trips to Canada. His greatest enjoyment was being with his grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy Latcham of Grinnell; his daughters Dianna (Darlo) Kelting of Grinnell and Carol (Jeff) Oliver of Grinnell; his son David (Annette) Latcham of Grinnell; his daughter-in-law Teresa Latcham of Lynnville; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters Judith Latcham and Janice Reimers Kriegel; son Allen Latcham; son-in-law Harry Reimers; grandson Lance Reimers; granddaughter Cora Oliver; brothers Merle and Gail Latcham; and sister Florence Stanerson.
