John Holt Schiefer

Born on September 12, 1941, in Colfax, Iowa, John grew up with a love for the outdoors, hunting, and a curiosity for how things worked. He graduated from North High School in 1959 and studied at Northeast Missouri State and Grandview College. He began his career as a pharmaceutical sales representative and went on to open his own business, S&S Four-Wheel Drive. In 1984, he became a medical sales representative for Macon & Company and retired in 2010. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing in adult hockey and softball leagues, playing golf, and riding his Harley on many trips across the country. For over three decades, John also served as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Clive, Iowa, six years as Clive Fire Chief and 10 years as a Clive City Councilman as well as Clive Volunteer of the Year in 1982 and Clive Citizen of the Year in 2004. He helped coordinate the 1979 visit of Pope John Paul II to Living History Farms, and actively supported the efforts of many during the Clive floods saving countless homes and businesses.

John was known for being opinionated. He was the embodiment of "my way or the highway." He loved a good debate, and his opinions—often delivered with no filter—were as consistent as his refusal to ever admit he might be wrong. He was fiercely independent, never one to ask for help, but always willing to lend a hand when it truly mattered. Beneath his tough exterior was a man who cared fiercely, he just preferred not to show it.

Throughout his life, John enjoyed working on his jeep, a 1948 Willys CJ2A, and would eagerly share stories to anyone who would listen. He was also a member of Jeep Outdoor Club of Central Iowa. In retirement, if he was not in his recliner watching the History Channel or Fox News, he was in the garage working on his beloved friend. In September 2024, he was able to spend a week in Colorado immersed with his fellow Jeep enthusiasts.

John is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 60 years, Patty Schiefer. His daughters, Lisa (Brian) Farrell and Heidi (Tate) McCormick, his six grandchildren, Zach (Kaitlin) Farrell, Sam Farrell, Jackson McCormick, Molly Farrell, Jonah McCormick, Colby McCormick and two great-grandchildren Phil & Kennedy.

John did not want a memorial service of any kind. Instead, he wanted a party. In his last days, his request was for people to remember “the party that Schiefer threw.” With that, come raise a glass, bring your best story, and celebrate his life on April 5, 2025, at 5 p.m. (until the cops shut it down) at the Harbach Event Center, 8505 Harbach Blvd, Clive, Iowa 50325 (formerly the Clive Fire Station). Bell Ceremony to take place at 5:30p.m. In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorials can be made to the Clive Fire Department or Kavanagh House.