John Michael Ren, Sr.
January 21, 2015
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
John Michael Ren, Sr., 61, of Colfax, formerly of Des Moines went home to his Savior on Wednesday January 21, 2015 while surrounded by his loving family at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines. Born in Iowa City, he was raised in the Des Moines and Martensdale area by his mother and stepfather.
At the age of 17, he volunteered for the US Marine Corp. where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam with honor and pride. He was wounded twice before returning home to his family. Upon returning home, he had a large family of his own and worked as a mechanic for years before his health forced him to retire. He loved to have family gatherings, especially Easter egg hunts for his grandchildren and 4th of July pool parties with karaoke and fireworks.
John leaves behind his loving wife, Pam; his children, Brenda Gott, Danny Manley, Troy Manley, John Ren, Jr., Jason (Mary) Edgington, Jim (Karen) Ren and Jeremy Ren; 21 grandchildren; one great grandchild and one on the way; mother, Phyllis Leonard; siblings, Jackie (Chuck) Wambsgan, Robert (Sue) Ren, Roxie (Dale) Moll, Jeanie Ren, Kerry Ren, Steve Ren, Mari Lou (Stoney) Stone, and Kimber (Kevin) Conklin; and a host of other family and beloved friends.
John was preceded in death by his sister, Irene Ren; his father, Jack; step-father, Dave Leonard; mother-in-law, Betty Heck; and father-in-law, Melvin Heck.
A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2015 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with burial at 2:00 p.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family in loving memory of John.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Ashley Gott
10/12/2016
People say that I'm getting better since my grandpa died. the truth is that I'm not. Im getting worser every day i wake up. The anger and hatred that i have won't leave me and thats what makes me dangerous. i hate being that person that hurts everyone around me. I want to stop being this thing that i am right now and go back to what i used to be. a cheerful girl that people can call me the angle of god. They call me the devils daughter because of the pain and suffering I'm going through. i won't stop my people if they believe that i can go back to what i used to be. but the thing is I'm not ready to let go of grandpa and accept his death. i still feel guilt and worthlessness when i saw him died. they told me to not take the blame but i know that its my fault that he died. i was his hero and i couldn't help him. I'm nothing. all i want is for the people around me to be happy and safe. my life never mattered to me in the first place. my family and friends lives mattered the most than my own. i make sacrifices to people i care. thats who i am
Ashley Gott
09/26/2016
Today I fell and cried. I feel so hopeless and lost since his death. My heart is shattered and burned to ash to where it can never be healed. I blame myself for not being strong. I try to cope with this pain but its too much for me to bear. I love you Grandpa
Ashley Gott
09/19/2016
I never stop thinking about him everyday as I walk among the living. But the trama and shock will never leave me including the pain. I owe him so much, he give me a reason to live and made me feel loved again. I owe him my life. I love him so much and I wished that I cured his sickness and his suffering. I feel like its my fault that he died. Even though its not but i feel responsible. I love you grandpa
Ashley Gott
09/16/2016
He was our hero. Our savor but now that he's gone we feel lost and hopeless. He brightened up our days and gave us hope and love. There's one thing that I wish for right now. And that is to see him. I can't bear this pain any longer. Its too much for me to handle. Nothing is helping me getting rid of this pain that I have. I'm trying and trying but its too much for me. I don't know what to do. I'm scared and afraid. I feel hopeless and lost. I need him to tell me that everythings going to be alright. I need you so bad grandpa.
Ashley Gott
01/22/2016
He was the greatest Grandpa that I could ever ask for. He will always tell me how much he loves me and wishes that he had more time with us. He tried to prepare me for his end but I couldn't go a day without seeing him smile and saying "I love you" to me and Grandma. My Heart has fallen into darkness since he died and the people around me are afraid of me. My anger is strong so is my hatred. I feel like I lost everything. I love Grandpa.
melaney miller
07/17/2015
i will always miss you grandpa john and you will always be in my heart and i hope that everyone heals from his lost !
Kerry & Karen Hunter
01/27/2015
John was an amazing neighbor, friend and father figure to us both. He looked out for us and always had our backs. We are blessed to have been his neighbor for so many years. You will be forever missed by our family!
diane wease
01/26/2015
Pam im so sorry for your loss of Johnny my prayers are with you,he was a great guy
his love for you was for real and as deep and commited as ive ever seen he will ALWAYS be your guardian angel .
Mary Edgington
01/26/2015
Dad was an amazing man. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his family and friends. I'm grateful to have had him be a part of our lives. He was a fighter. His calm words always gave us comfort and security. He will missed by all the hearts that he had touched.
Shan Ince
01/26/2015
My heartfelt sympathies to all family members in your loss of such a great person, husband, and father. He will be missed by all.
Jim West
01/26/2015
I only got to talk to John once but that was enough to know he was a good man and someone another man could respect. When you think of someone you would want to have your back in war it would be John. After meeting John I knew why Brenda and the kids thought so highly of him. God Bless
Kimber Conklin
01/25/2015
John, you never thought you were important, but you were always important to me. I looked up to you my whole life. You were my big brother, my role model, my hero. Your sacrifices for family and others are what I tried to emulate in my life. You never realized how many lives you touched and influenced. You will continue to be important to me until we meet again...