Joseph Scallon

Joseph Scallon, age 68, Iowa Falls resident and long-time community leader, passed away Friday, September 6, 2024 near Anderson, Indiana. Memorial services will be 1:30 PM Sunday, September 15, 2024 at the Iowa Falls-Alden High School Gymnasium. A public visitation will be held from 2-5 PM on Saturday, September 14 at the high school with a time of sharing at 4 PM. Joe will be laid to rest at a later date at the Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Linda and Joe Scallon Family Fund for future charitable giving to the community at www.desmoinesfoundation.org/scallon. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory of Iowa Falls is caring for Joe and his family. The memorial service will be livestreamed on the official YouTube channel of Iowa Falls-Alden Schools https://youtube.com/live/aPH2byc3O6o Joseph Raymond Scallon was born March 3, 1956 to James and Ruth (Oppold) Scallon. The fifth of nine siblings, Joe often joked that his large family allowed him to find a love for the outdoors early in childhood. A lifelong resident of Iowa Falls, Joe graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1974. He received his degree in agriculture education from Iowa State University in 1978, earning the 1976 FFA American Farmer Award. Though he never worked in a classroom, Joe was a skilled teacher, mentoring many throughout his life. After his college graduation, Joe returned to Iowa Falls to hog and crop farm. During this time, he met and married the love of his life, Linda Jansen. In addition to raising four children, their partnership of over 40 years would bear much fruit. In what he referred to as a mid-life crisis, Joe started Ham and Eggs, adding laying hens to the farm operation in 1998. In later years, he expanded the egg-laying facilities with The Good Eggs before retiring in 2018. Joe loved the Lord and was the hands and feet of Jesus, serving his church and community well. He was a trustee at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls and devoted much time to the Church Women’s United Thrift Store. He served as a Iowa Falls Community School board member, Ellsworth College Foundation board member, 4-H leader and led the construction and subsequent rebuild of the Pineview playground. Quick to credit Linda for any success, he received many awards throughout his farming career, including Master Pork Producer, Pork All American, Iowa Department of Agriculture Good Neighbor Award, Cyclone Family of the Year, 4-H Hall of Fame inductee, Iowa Poultry Association Hall of Fame inductee and Iowa Venture Award winner. He also served on the Iowa Egg Council Board of Directors. He was a current member of the Iowa Falls Airport Board Authority and served on the Greenbelt Bank and Trust Board, as well as the Twin Cedars Bank Board. A lifelong learner, he became a pilot and enjoyed flying to see people he loved. His favorite destination was Okoboji, where he created happy memories with family and friends. Joe flew for good, participating in the Angel Flight program, donating his time and plane to transport patients needing medical care throughout the region. Smart as he was humble, Joe took a genuine interest in others. He will be remembered for his unique ability to quickly see needs and quietly meet them. Joe’s common phrase, “I can fix anything but a broken heart,” proved he was adept at finding practical ways to help. With his playful nature he celebrated the pure, simple joys of life, often with a Dairy Queen blizzard and a selfie text to his family. Joe was a farmer and pilot, but he shared when he grew up he would be “anything and everything,” a message relayed by his own father that his accomplishments would be exponential, not because of his efforts, but because of what his children and grandchildren would someday do. Those that knew him will remember what it felt like to be loved by him, and his children are thankful to indulge their own families with Joe’s “I love you this much” message he always shared. Joe’s memory will forever be treasured by his beloved family and friends. He is survived by “the most beautiful woman in the world”, Linda Scallon; daughter, Sara (Craig) Bonney, son, Mark (Jenon) Scallon, daughter, Amy (Vince) Geis, son, John (Kelsey) Scallon; grandchildren: Sam and Celia Bonney, Caroline, Rory, Anna, and Julia Scallon, Colin and soon to arrive baby sister Geis, and Jay and Landon Scallon; siblings: Mary Kay VanValkenburgh, Rita (Glenn) Ballew, Louis (Cosette) Scallon, Bill Scallon, Kathy (Carl) Wackerle, and Robert (Jennifer) Scallon; in-laws: Dale (Sara) Jansen, Lugene (Jane) Jansen, Ron Jansen, Twila Jansen, and Troy Jansen; and loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruth Scallon; parents-in-law, Paul and Sylvia Jansen; sisters, Jean and Susan Scallon and sisters-in-law, Paulette Jansen and Lisa Jansen.

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Joseph Scallon

March 3, 1956 - September 6, 2024