John R. “Hap” McMahan, 92, of Hamilton, passed away Saturday morning, May 31st , 2025, peacefully at home.
He was born November 20th, 1932, in Keokuk, Iowa, the middle sibling of John B. and Frances G. Humphry McMahan.
John graduated from Hamilton High School where he was the President of his class of 1950.
Soon after, Hap married his High School sweetheart Marilyn J. Wollbrink on September 2nd,
1951. John and Marilyn were blessed with three children, Susan, Mark and Jon Michael. John and Marilyn had many blessings along their journey with 70 years of marriage. They were both lifelong members of the United Methodist Church in Hamilton, Illinois.
John enlisted into the Army at 21 years old on February 6 th , 1953. After finishing Boot Camp and Army Technical Skills Training, he was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama as a Smoke Generator Mechanic with the 62nd Chemical Material Logistics Company. Marilyn was not staying away from her beau, so she anxiously joined him in Alabama. Within days of arriving in
Fort McClellan, Hap would be quickly challenged to use his needed skills to support his fellow soldiers. He entered the latter end of the Korean War where he would be awarded the National Defense Service Medal. On February 4, 1955, John separated from the Armed Forces of the United States with Honors, but remained part of the Army Reserve to complete 8 years of service.
Separated from the Army, John and Marilyn left their military life and returned to Hamilton.
John soon began working for Hubingers in Keokuk and with his older brother Jim, “J.R.”, who owned McMahan Construction. In 1978, John began working in the maintenance division for the Hamilton School District. He loved his work at the school, but mostly because of being
around children of all ages and watching them grow up. This quickly became Hap’s calling as he found his real passion, and became one of the school district’s favorite bus drivers. Hap also loved sports, so there was nothing better than being at the head of getting Hamilton Cardinal
student athletes to their games.
He loved his family with all his heart. John and Marilyn’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were their pride and joy. He very much enjoyed attending their activities along with catching their ball games even after a long day’s work. John had multiple talents and
hobbies, but was best known for creating some of the most beautiful stained glass art during winter months, and when summer arrived, he would be up at the crack of dawn attending to his pristine yard, rose garden, and beautiful flowers.
John is survived by his sons, Mark R. (Tracy) McMahan and their children, Jadelyn and Annalise of Montevideo, Minnesota; Jon Michael (Lisa) McMahan and their children, Connor and Brooke of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren Jennifer (Gregg) Blickhan and their children, Madison and
Joey Cooper of Loraine, Illinois; Josh (Leann) Svejda and their children, Jonah and Levi of Keokuk, Iowa; Jason (Kristen) Svejda and their children, Bennett and Autumn of Sperry, Iowa; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marilyn J. Wollbrink; daughter, Susan K. Svejda; brother, James R. “J.R.” MMcMahan; sister Mary Jo Taylor.
Funeral services will be held at 12 pm (Noon) on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Printy Funeral Home in Hamilton, with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 am to 12 pm directly before the service.
Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church of Hamilton.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.
Printy Funeral Home of Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.
