Memorial
Jon D. Galvin, 83, of Cedar Rapids, passed away April 25, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a long illness. Visitation will be held Saturday, April 29 from 2-5pm at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel and funeral services at Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church at 1pm on Sunday, April 30. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds may be directed to the family.
Jon was born on October 24, 1939 in Marcus, Iowa. His family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1956, where he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1957 and joined Holy Redeemer. After graduation Jon worked at Woolworth’s, where he met his wife, the former Alice Shramek of Swisher. They eloped in 1960 and welcomed four children, Donna Marie, Mary Lynn, Kathy Ann and Timothy Philip. Over the years, Jon worked for Railroad Express, FMC and Universal Engineering. He retired from Amana Refrigeration/Maytag in 2003. The Galvins lived on 5th Street Northwest in the Time Check neighborhood until 2008, when the family home was lost in the flood. This became a defining moment for Jon. Alongside his neighbors he worked tirelessly to ensure flood survivors could access resources for new homes.
Jon was a man of many passions. In the 1970s he began to collect carnival glass, almost all of which was saved after the flood. He was an expert and beloved member of the Heart of America Carnival Glass Association and several other carnival glass clubs. Nearly every weekend Jon could be found at an auction or watching his great-grandchildren play sports. He was also an avid fisherman, often heading to Lake MacBride or the Iowa River for catfish. He played thousands of hands of canasta with his family and euchre every other Tuesday with his friends at Holy Redeemer. Every Christmas he and Alice hosted extended family for aebleskiver, a tradition passed down from his parents. He loved puzzles and pranks, westerns and woodworking. On Sunday mornings he always turned on Czech Melody for Alice to listen to the polkas. He will be sorely missed by the squirrels who came to the back door in search of a cookie.
He is survived by Alice Galvin, his wife of 63 years; daughters Mary (Robert) Zuroske and Kathy (Daniel) O’Brien; six grandchildren, Angela Boyd (David Ludwig), Timothy Boyd (Kristina), Ann Viall (Nick), Michael O’Brien (Dani), Andrew O’Brien, Matthew O’Brien (Lexi); and 13 great-grandchildren, in whom he delighted: Shayla Hosek, Ellie Hosek, Griffin Boyd, Brody Hosek, Tenley O’Brien, Everett Boyd, Liam Viall, Greyson Viall, Leland O’Brien, Noah Viall, Owen Viall, Lila Ludwig, and Alayna O’Brien.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Esther Galvin; his siblings Helen, Roger, Philip and Lyle; and his children Donna and Timothy.
Jon brought joy and care to the lives of his loved ones. He found beauty wherever he looked. How lucky we are to have known him.