John J. Longdin III

John J. Longdin III died at the age of 63 on Friday, October 2, 2020, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center.  A celebration of his life will be held from 2-4 p.m., Saturday, October 24, at the Elks Lodge.   Masks will be required. Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Shiners Hospitals for Children may be left at the funeral home or mail to the Wallace Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 1115 E. 19th St. N., Newton, IA 50208, please add, Attn: Longdin Family on the envelope.

John J. Longdin III, the son of John J. II and F. Jacqueline “Jackie” Walker Longdin was born on February 8, 1957 in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was a graduate of Newton High School in 1974.

On June 10, 1978, John was united in marriage with Diedra “Dee” Mathiesen in Newton, Iowa. They were blessed with two sons, John IV and James Lee. John was a truck driver and had worked for North American Van Lines & Merchants Transfer prior to owning & operating with his father, John II, Longdin’s Transfer agents for Crouse Cartage Co. & Allied Van Lines for 18 years. Later John worked for Smithway Motor Express and Rock Communications. He was a member of the Newton Elks Lodge No. 1270 for 41 years. John enjoyed gardening and tending to his peach trees. He also enjoyed going with his sons to the Good Guys car shows. He was a loving and caring husband, father, brother and friend.

John died on Friday, October 2, 2020 at the MercyOne Newton Medical Center in Newton. He was 63. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Those left to honor John’s memory are his wife of 42 years Dee of Newton; two sons, John J. Longdin IV and James L. Longdin, both of Newton; his sister, Sherry (Mike) McCoy of Ames; and many nieces and nephews.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John J. Longdin III, please visit our floral store.