John Joesph Gayewski, 87, of Burlington, died Sunday, May 28, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born May 31, 1935, in Pine Island, N.Y., he was the son of Bronislaw and Regina S. Sedlak Gayewski. John was the first member of his family to be born in the United States, after his parents immigrated from Poland. On May 25, 1957, he married Ruth Ann Miller in Orange County, N.Y.. She died Sept. 28, 2015.
John worked on his onion farm in Pine Island, N.Y., for many years. He then moved his family to Iowa and worked for Georgia Pacific.
He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish. John enjoyed listening to Polkas, and was a friend with Polka King Jimmy Stir. He loved being outdoors, either fishing or tending his hundreds of acres of onions. John was great at making Polska Kielbasa.
Survivors include one son, John (Denise) Gayewski, Jr. of Burlington; two daughters, Nancy Mutchler of West Burlington, and Diane (Keith) Ball of Oakville; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Viola Gayewski of Warwick, N.Y., and Regina Gayewski of West Town, N.Y. and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Barney, and eight sisters, Jean, Mary, Charlotte, Genevieve, Josie, Pauline, Mickie, and Stella.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., Friday, June 9, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The funeral service for Mr. Gayewski will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 9, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street with Rev. Father Bill Roush officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.