John Edward Koehler, 78, of Montrose, IA, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026, at his home in Montrose.

     He was born March 19, 1947, in Fort Madison, IA, the son of Edward Joseph and Hazel Harmon Koehler. John graduated from Central Lee High School with the Class of 1965.

     John was a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served his country on the DMZ during the Vietnam War. 

     On October 31, 1970, John was united in marriage to Mary Merschman at St. James Church in St. Paul, IA.  For 55 years, Mary was the love of John’s life and his constant companion.

      John had been employed by the Dial Corporation for thirty-two years until his retirement in 2004.

     He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Montrose, the Tri-State Gun Club, and the Keokuk Yacht Club, where he had served as past commodore.

     John was a true outdoorsman at heart and loved spending time fishing, hunting, trapshooting, and boating. Whether on the river or at the range, he was happiest when surrounded by nature and good company. He enjoyed gathering with his buddies for morning coffee or a spirited game of Euchre.

     He is survived by his wife, Mary Koehler of Montrose,  son, Ed Koehler (Terri Johnson) of Montrose, IA; daughter, Brenda Postma (Brad) of Rock Valley, IA; six grandchildren, Ethan Koehler, Aidan Koehler (Kyla Gilpin), Mary Kate LeLoux (Jacob), Abby Dokter (Caleb), Allison Feenstra (Dawson), and Isaac Postma; one sister, Sandra Helling of Houghton, IA; and one brother-in-law, Garry Schiller of Donnellson, IA.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, William “Billy” Koehler; two sisters, Teresa Schiller and Mary Ann Krogmeier and her husband, Ronald; and one brother-in-law, Roger Helling.

      A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, February 13, at Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk. Burial with military rites will be held in Keokuk National Cemetery.

     A celebration of life will start at 5 p.m., Friday, February 13, at the Tri-State Gun Club, 2308 280th St., Montrose, IA.  

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ethan John Koehler Resilience Scholarship established in memory of John. To make a donation mail a donation to Keokuk Community School Foundation, P.O. Box 431, Keokuk, IA 52632.

     Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com