John James VanLeuven, the son of Harvey and Wilma (Way) VanLeuven was born May 9, 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa. He passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2018 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 71 years, 6 months and 13 days.

John was raised in Des Moines, Iowa, where he graduated from Valley Junction High School in 1965. He entered the U.S. Army in 1965, served two years and returned to Des Moines to work construction. On June 17, 1967, John was united in marriage to Cynthia I. Crozier at Princeton, Missouri. John again served his country by entering the U.S. Air Force in 1967 and was honorably discharged on July 30, 1976. Following his military service, he attended college at AIB in Des Moines and DMACC for law enforcement. In 1978, John and Cindy made their home in Red Oak, when John began his law enforcement career with the Red Oak Police Department. He served the citizens of Red Oak for 25 years, before retiring in 2003. John enjoyed camping and being outdoors. He was a member of the American Legion Lorraine Post #67 of Red Oak and attended Faith Community Church. John was preceded in death by his parents.

John is survived by his wife, Cynthia VanLeuven of Red Oak, IA; two sons: John "Zip" VanLeuven of Bellevue NE, and Jason "Jake" (Michelle) VanLeuven of Bellevue, NE; 7 grandchildren: Bret (Mel) Kautz, John "Skip" VanLeuven III, Cody (Shelby) VanLeuven, Lexi VanLeuven (Joel), Randi VanLeuven (Trevor McAlpin), Rennee` (Christian) Trinidad and Rikki (Micca) Thompson; 5 great-grandchildren: Izic, Jlynn, Eslie, Dawsyn, Luna; brother-in-law: Stephen (Gloria) Crozier of Cedar Falls, IA; sisters-in-law: Kelly (William) Booth of Red Oak, IA and Casey "Sam" Bates of Red Oak, IA; and John's cousins: Bob (Fran) Way, Mary (John) Allemang, Ira (Loretta) Way, Iona Frakes and Zola (Twigs) Bullis; other relatives and many friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held
Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Red Oak, IA
Rev. Caryn Pedersen, Officiating

Burial will be held at a later date in Resthaven Cemetery, Des Moines, IA

Visitation with the family on Tuesday, November 27, 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak, IA

A memorial is being established in John's name.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.