John Patrick Leavy

John Patrick Leavy, Marshalltown, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 16, 2013. A visitation will be held Saturday, March2, 2013 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Mitchell Family Funeral Home.Born April 20, 1954 in Dublin, Ireland to Thomas and Kathleen Teeling Leavy, as a child John immigrated to the United States with his family. Growing up in Marshalltown, John attended St Marys Catholic Schools and Marshalltown High School. At age 12 John was involved in an accident after which he was confined to a wheelchair. This did not prevent John from having a full and exciting life. At one point even hitch-hiking to New Orleans to see the Mardi Gras. John wrote poetry and prose and loved music and dancing in his wheel chair. John enjoyed floating the Iowa River in his fathers Jon boat. John was an inspiration to all who knew him. He maintained a positive attitude in spite of his disability and health issues. John made long and lasting friendships wherever he went. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. John worked for Hupp Electric and Martin Marietta until his health declined.Left to cherish his memory are siblings; Nuala (Greg) Smith, Marshalltown, Larry (Robin) Leavy, Independence, Mo, Brian Leavy, Marshalltown, Emmet (Jennifer) Leavy, North Liberty, Richard Leavy, Des Moines and Tracy (Nancy Thise) Leavy of Des Moines. John is now rejoined with his mother & father, Thomas & Kathleen Leavy, his siblings Greta Stonewall, Thomas Leavy Jr, Robert Leavy, and nephew Sean Smith.