John Mailander

John T. Mailander, 87, of Webster City, died Friday, September 11, 2009 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge. A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Rev. Scott Boone presiding. Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center in Webster City, with recitation of the rosary beginning at 6:45 p.m. followed by a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. John Tom Mailander was born in Atlantic, Iowa to Peter and Mary Waters Mailander. He grew up on a farm west of Wiota and was educated there. After he left high school, he joined the CCC's for a year, then enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 19. He trained with the British Commandos in Scotland and then was sent on the invasion of Algiers, Africa where he was captured by the Germans after a few months of battle. John was taken to prison camps in Italy, Poland and Germany where he spent 2 years and 3 months. After his liberation in May of 1945, he returned home and attended Creighton University for a year. Then he reenlisted in the Army and was stationed at Ladd Field in Fairbanks, Alaska. John transferred to the U.S. Air Force and was a recruiter for several years in Omaha, NE. His other tours of duty included Vance A.F.B., Enid, OK.; South Ruiship, London England, Fargo, ND., and Duluth, MN. John retired in November of 1964 after 23 years of service. During his military career, he received the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, 3 Battle Stars, P.O.W. Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. John worked for Job Service in Webster City for 16 years and 2 1/2 years part time at Crestview Manor in Webster City. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Mailander; son Carl Mailander of Webster City; daughters, Barbara (David) Roe of Clinton, N.C; Joan (Andrew) Ervin of White Bear Lake, MN; Susan Mailander of Sunnyvale, CA; Jean (Alan) Shankland of Medford, OR; granddaughters, Emily Ervin and Erin (Thad) Roe Trantham, MD; grandson, Jason Roe U.S.C.G., Atlantic Beach N.C; great granddaughters, Blossom Roe, Abby and Sarah Trantham; sister-in-law, Pearl Mailander and 14 nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather (William Nimm) brothers, Edward and Paul Mailander; sister-in-law, Marie Mailander and nephew, Michael Mailander. He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Webster City. John was also a meber of the Iowa Chapter Of Ex -- P.O.W.'s Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Mailander family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com