John Wayne Madison

John Wayne Madison , 66, of Newton died on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at the Pella Comfort House. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wayne’s name (checks made payable to Linda Madison) or memorials to Hospice of Pella may be left at the funeral home or the church the day of the service. 

Wayne was born September 2, 1956, in Newton, Iowa to James Walter and Carolyn Madison. Wayne grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1975.  Three years after graduation, Wayne started working for the City of Newton at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, where he would later retire in 2021 after 44 years of dedicated service.  

On May 12, 1983, Wayne married the love of his life, Linda at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  They were blessed with two children, Chase in 1985 and Sarah in 1988, who Wayne’s world revolved around.   

Wayne could always be found coaching or attending and cheering on his kids at every one of their activities throughout the years.  Even after his kids were out of high school, Wayne could be spotted cheering on the Newton Cardinal football, basketball and track teams.  In his free time, Wayne enjoyed riding bikes with Linda at Red Rock, tinkering out in the garage, attending car shows with his buddies, hunting, fishing, watching old Western movies or helping out a friend in any way they needed.  However, his favorite pastime was spending time with his 7-year-old granddaughter, who he loved more than life itself.  They loved riding bikes, raking leaves, playing with chalk, sweeping the driveway and eating popcorn together.  

Wayne was loved by all who crossed his path and rightfully so.  He will be greatly missed but remembered forever in the little details of every day.

Wayne is survived by his wife Linda, son Chase Madison of Iowa City, daughter Sarah (Travis) Gerstandt of Marshalltown, granddaughter Quinn, mother-in-law, Twila Jones, brother- and sister-in-law, Dave and Lisa Jones and their children, Lauren (Nick) Jones Patten and Zach Jones; his siblings, James (Cindy) Madison, Hazel Grissom, and Linda Burns; along with many other family members and friends.   

Wayne was preceded in death by his mother and father; his father-in-law, Leonard Jones; his brother, Gene; and brother-in-law, Larry Grissom. 

The family would like to thank the amazing nurses and aides at the Comfort House in Pella for their compassion and care towards Wayne in his final days.  The love and care they showed towards all of us will always be remembered.  

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