John E. Onstot, 68, of Newton and formerly of Madrid, died Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Hospice of Pella Comfort House. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 15, at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Newton. Memorials have been designated for Iowa Donor Network.
John, the son of Robert E. and Evelyn M. (Walker) Onstot, was born Mar. 25, 1958, in Ames. He grew up in Ames where he was a Boy Scout and a member of DeMolay International and received the Chevalier Degree. In 1974, his family moved to Roland. John graduated from Roland-Story High School in 1977. John was united in marriage with Mary Annette Brown on July 21, 1979, in Winterset. He began working at ACI Mechanical in 1977. He later worked at Pritchard Brothers Plumbing and Heating, Ames Heating and Cooling, C&K Heating and Cooling, and Bell Brothers Heating and Cooling. He spent the last 11 years of his career as a sheet metal fabricator at Proctor Mechanical, retiring on Dec. 30, 2025.
John and Mary made the move from Madrid to Newton in 2014 and became members of St. Luke United Methodist Church. John enjoyed camping, fishing, and spending time with his grandkids. He was very talented in working with sheet metal, making everything from lawn décor to lamps.
John is survived by his wife Mary; children Heather Marie (Wes-ley) Zylstra, Matthew John (Rachel) Onstot, and Amy Annette Onstot; six grandchildren Nicolas Onstot, Jenna Onstot, Gwendalyn Zylstra, Kath-erine Zylstra, Alexander Onstot, and Laurel Zylstra; his mother Evelyn Onstot; siblings Robin Mckenzie, Leanne Wait, Elaine (Bob) Newton, Wayne Speer, Jackie Brown, and Arlene (Bryce) Beerends; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert E. Onstot; his grandson Owen Onstot; and his grandparents Forest and Ada Walker and Charles Lee and Bonita Onstot.
