~ Biographical Sketch ~

     John Maro was born on Tuesday, August 3, 1886, son of Michael Maro and Anna.¹

John married Mary Mamie Geber in 1910 in LaMotte, Jackson County, Iowa.^1,4

John died on Sunday, December 22, 1918 at age 32. The cause of death was from the flu during the 1918 influenza epidemic.⁴

An unidentified and undated newspaper clipping read:

John marrow

Husband and Father Called By Death. Buried Christmas Day at St. Theresa

[:SS]

The happy Yuletide was made one of sorrow and sadness and the MAro home north of St. Theresa when the husband and father was called by death. John Maro [___text missing___] Friday, December 13, which later developed into pneumonia and by December 20 his condition seemed worse, Rev. Friedmann was called and administered the last holy sacraments of the church. He seems some better until Sunday noon, when he grew gradually worse and quietly passed away Sunday evening, December 22, 1918, at 5 o’clock.

John Maro was born August 3, 1886, being 32 years old, 4 months and 19 days old the day of his death. He was born on a farm near Centerville, Prairie Springs township where he grew to manhood. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Maro, his father preceded him in depth about 25 years ago. On June 29, 1910 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Geber at St. Donatus by Rev. Neubel. They began housekeeping on the farm until five years ago when he purchased the farm known as the Reo(sp?) Mueller place four miles northeast of St. Theresa, where he passed away as above stated. He leaves to mourn his untimely death his wife and three dear little children, Marcella, Lawrence and Olinda, also his mother Mrs. Ana Maro of Dubuque and three sisters, Mrs. Neck Kies of Jesup, Mrs. Henry Sch__?__ler of Lane, South Dakota, and Mrs. Joe Meyer of Dubuque and a host of warm friends.

Mr. Maro was a general, warmhearted, whole-souled gentlemen. He was ready, active and ever willing to lend a helping hand to every movement that was calculated to improve conditions. He left his home and family, he was frugal an industrious and did his best to earn an honest livelihood. We have yet to hear any but words of highest praise and commendation for his motives and business dealings with his fellow citizens. Owing to the influenza epidemic there was no church service and on account of the illness of his pastor, Rev. Father Mullin, Rev. Father Friedmann of LaMotte conducted the services at the grave at 2 o'clock Christmas Day and the remains were laid to rest in St. Theresa’s cemetery. Owing to sickness his wife and children were unable to attend the funeral.

The casket bears were Messers, Jim Mueller, and Joe Knochel, Karl Lenz, Pete Capesius, John Connolly and Jacob Hoffmann.⁵

He was laid to rest on Wednesday, December 25, 1918 in the St. Teresa's Church Cemetery in LaMotte, Jackson County, Iowa.³