John G. McAreavy

John G. McAreavy, 91, of Marion, Iowa, passed from this life on Sunday, February 15, 2026. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Marion, where visitation will be held for one hour prior to the Mass. Father Neil Manternach will officiate. A luncheon reception will follow in the lower hall at St. Joseph Church. A private inurnment and committal service with full military honors will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

John was born July 15, 1934, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of William J. and Irene (Williams) McAreavy. He was a 1952 graduate of Coggon High School, in Coggon, Iowa, where John excelled as an exceptional athlete in baseball and basketball. Following graduation, John attended the University of Iowa for two years, where he played on the baseball team. He left college with the intent of pursuing his baseball career. John had signed with the Cincinnati Reds and was released. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played for one year. John enlisted with the United States Army for two years, until he was honorably discharged. Upon completing his service, John returned to Iowa, to play baseball with the Clinton Pirates. During that fall, he spent time playing exhibition basketball against the Harlem Magicians (a spinoff of the Harlem Globetrotters led by Marques Haynes). Although John had hoped to build upon his budding athletic career, injuries set in, and it was time to move on.

In 1958, John met Lola Mae Tebbe at a social function in Maquoketa, Iowa, while still playing basketball. When his basketball career ended, John and Lola reconnected and were married in 1959. They moved to Cedar Rapids, where John worked in clothing and real estate sales, but ultimately found a career with LeFebure Corporation, where he was Manager of Sales Promotions for 26 years. Together, they had eight children (two boys and three sets of boy/girl twins). John's life revolved around his family. During that time, he turned his passion for sports toward coaching, leading numerous youth baseball and basketball teams. John believed "winning" was a learned behavior and skill, and he taught it.

John is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Lola McAreavy of Marion; seven children, Jordon (Trina) McAreavy of Cedar Rapids, Bradley (Kym) McAreavy of Rochester, New York, Michael (Yi-Jen Kong) McAreavy of Taiwan, Michele McAreavy of Marion, Andrew (Jennifer) McAreavy of Kansas City, Missouri, Andrea McAreavy (Shelly) of Phoenix, Arizona, and Stephen McAreavy of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Brent Albaugh, Dylan Paup, Logan McAreavy, and Andrew "Drew" McAreavy; two great-grandchildren, Kylee and Kason Czerwiec; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded into eternal life by his parents; youngest daughter, Stephanie Ann McAreavy; one granddaughter, Erin McAreavy, two brothers, Paul McAreavy and Donald Eugene McAreavy; and two sisters-in-law, Kathleen McAreavy and Imogene McAreavy.

In lieu of flowers, the family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph’s Church and the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs in Iowa City.