John Monroe Obituary (1946 - 2023)

Born Aug 07, 1946, John Monroe attended Indianola High School in Indianola, IA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about John Monroe.

Graduation Year	Faculty
Date of Birth	Aug 07, 1946
Date of Passing	Apr 11, 2023
About	A Celebration of Life Service for John Monroe, 76, who passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at EveryStep Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines, IA due to complications from a stroke, will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Indianola First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held prior to services from 9 to 11a.m. at the church. Inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery. John was born August 7, 1946 to John and Maxine (Cline) Monroe in Charles City, Iowa. John attended elementary school in Charles City, Iowa, and then his family moved to Indianola, Iowa where he attended middle school. His family moved back to Charles City, where he attended high school, and graduated in 1964. While in high school, John participated in football, wrestling, and golf. He attended Iowa State University and received his B. S. degree in education in 1969. In 1968, John married Pat Maulsby and they had one child, Marnie. John and Pat later divorced. He started his education profession at Northeast Community Schools in Goose Lake, Iowa, where he coached football, wrestling, and taught social studies and drivers education. He earned his M. A. in Secondary School Administration at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. He acquired his first administrative position in 1971 as Assistant Principal and wrestling coach at South Hamilton High School in Jewell, Iowa. In 1975, he became the Principal there and his administrative career led to the following positions: Assistant High School Principal at Red Oak (1981-83), High School Principal at Southeast Warren (1983-97) and High School Principal at Indianola (1997-2010). In 2001, he was selected as the “Iowa High School Principal of the Year.” This is an honor he held close to his heart because he loved working with high school students, and was very fortunate to have worked with some outstanding students, teachers, administrators, secretaries, associates, parents, and school board members. John married Kathy Santi in 1985 and they had twins, Josh and Emily. He was a wrestling official for 36 years and worked the Iowa High School State Meet for 30 years. He retired from officiating in 2006. John was selected as the "IHSAA Wrestling Official of the Year" in 1991, inducted into the IHSAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005, and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an Official in 2006. John was an avid golfer and enjoyed being outdoors with his friends and family golfing. John loved and enjoyed playing all card games, especially with friends and family. John is survived by his wife of 37 years Kathy, and children Marnie (Mark) Moore of Earlham, Josh (Kayla) Monroe of West Des Moines, and Emily (Chad) Gillam, of Ankeny. He is also Papa to six grandchildren Garrett and Darby Moore of Earlham, Katie and James Gillam of Ankeny, and Beau and Sawyer Monroe of West Des Moines. He is also survived by one brother Chris (Char) Monroe of Escondido, California. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Maxine Monroe, and sisters Gerrie Prickett and Ginny Lehmkuhl. He loved being around people and was a caring person who was there to help people in need. He was a loving husband and father, and cherished his time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Family time as well as John/Kathy’s yearly snowbird trips to Palm Desert were things he looked forward to each year. In lieu of flowers please make donations to EveryStep Kavanagh Hospice House.