John Lyman Dovel, the son of Ira and Bessie Choate Dovel was born August 1, 1929 in Payne, Iowa. He died on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 79 years, 1 month and 10 days. John was raised near Hamburg, Iowa. He graduated from Hamburg High School in l948. John entered the U.S. Army on February 9, 1951, serving during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged on January 30, 1953. He returned to the Hamburg area and worked with the building of bridges on Highway 275. John then moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he worked for Louie's Market. While living in Omaha, John attended tech school to learn the trade of refrigeration. John was united in marriage to Linda Patrick on May 8, 1954 in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1957, they made their home in Red Oak, Iowa and purchased the Plumb Refrigeration Company. They changed the name to Dovel Refrigeration, Heating & Air Conditioning and for 51 years have served Red Oak and the surrounding area. John enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and bowling. He was a sports fan, and watching his children compete was a joy. Over the past number of years, John enjoyed attending his Army reunions. John was preceded in death by his parents; sister: Marie Rice; brother: Tommy Dovel; great-grandson: Anthony Appley; sister-in-law: Heartha Horak; and brothers-in-law: Tony Patrick and Nathan Patrick. John is survived by his wife: Linda Dovel of Red Oak, IA; children: Tom Dovel and wife Kimber of Omaha, NE; Timothy Dovel and wife Susan of Glenwood, IA; Janice Dovel of Red Oak, IA; Chris Dovel and wife Darla of Red Oak, IA; grandchildren: Eric Dovel, Sean Dovel, Tyler Dovel, Darcy Eitzen, Leslie Dovel, Jessica Appley, Scott Cisar, Crystal Dovel, and John T. Dovel; great-grandchildren: Nolan, Chloey, Kennedy, Claire, Nathaniel, and Baileigh; brother: Murl Dovel and wife Shirley of Hamburg, IA; sisters: Florence Goracke and husband Martin of Hamburg, IA; Murilla Giittinger and husband Marvin of Nebraska City, NE; Helen Dankoff and husband Danny of Nebraska City, NE; and brother-in-law: Wayne Rice of Atlantic, IA; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. St. Mary's Catholic Church, Red Oak, IA Burial in Mt. Zion Cemetery, south of Riverton, IA at 2:00 p.m. Father Ken Gross, Officiating Visitation with the family present at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home on Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorials to Red Oak Good Samaritan Alzheimer's Unit Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.