Jack Harden

John D. “Jack” Harden, 74, of Clinton, died Friday, May 14, 2010 at Trinity Medical Center – West Campus, Rock Island, Illinois. Memorial Services will be Friday, May 21, with a Masonic Rose Croix service starting at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, Clinton. Visitation will be Thursday, May 20 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory. A family burial service will take place prior to the memorial service at Clinton Lawn Cemetary with military honors being conducted by the Clinton AMVETS Post #28. John David Harden was born on March 13, 1936 in Blairstown, Iowa, the son of Donovan and Flossie (Schlue) Harden. He married Carol King on September 8, 1957 in Clinton, Iowa. John was a 1954 graduate of Clinton High School. He graduated from Iowa State College in 1958 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and was commissioned through ROTC as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force where he served from 1958-1962. John was a chemical and instrument engineer with Clinton Corn/Nabisco for 25 years. He then was an engineer with Equistar for 17 years retiring in 1998. While at Clinton Corn, he also taught apprentice classes for 10 years. As a member of First Congregational Church, John served as chair of the boards of trustees, diaconate, and religious education, as well as Church Moderator, and sang in the choir. He was a member and Past Master of Western Star Lodge #100, a 33o Scottish Rite Mason, editor of the Scottish Rite Booster News, and a member of the Scottish Rite Advisory Conference in Clinton Scottish Rite Bodies. He was also a member of the KAABA Shrine, and a member and past-president of Clinton HIGH-12 Club. He was active with Boy Scouts of America where he was a former Troop Committee Chairman for Troop 2 of Clinton, District Chairman for the Mesquakie District, and recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. John enjoyed playing the drums / percussion with many groups including the Brass Band and the “Noblemen” of the Kaaba Shrine, “Men of Note” of the Mohassen Grotto, CASI/New Horizons Band, Clinton Symphony Orchestra, Clinton Showboat Theater, and the annual veteren’s memorial service at Clinton Lawn Cemetary. In addition he enjoyed woodworking, and being with friends. Above all, John especially enjoyed being with his wife of 52 years, along with family, and following his children and grandchildren participating in their many activities. John is survived by his wife: Carol of Clinton, Iowa; two sons: David (Amy) Harden of Chesapeake, Virginia and James (Roberta) Harden of Clinton, Iowa; and one daughter: Karyn (Michael) Peterson of Clive, Iowa; eleven grandchildren; and his brother: Richard (Julie) Harden of Fort Morgan, Colorado; and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter: Elizabeth Ann. Memorials may be made to the First Congregational Church.

Jack Harden

March 13, 1936 - May 14, 2010