John Wesley Kreiss, son of John and Nancy Kreiss, was born December 10, 1874 in Council Grove, Kansas and passed away at his home in Keosauqua, Iowa, June 9, 1939 at the age of 64 years and 6 months. His boyhood was spent in Kansas. He came to Keosauqua,Iowa in 1894 to spend the remainder of his life.
On July 22, 1895 he was united in marriage to Lottie Miles. To this union ten children were born; Lawrence of Des Moines, Florence Brown of Cantril, Lottie Mae Bowen of Marshalltown, Lena DeHart of Fairfield, Edith Jemison, Joe, John, Bobbie and Beedie all of Keosauqua and Harold of Des Moines, who preceeded his father in death just three months ago.
Left to mourn his passing, besides his wife and nine children, are his two sisters, Mrs. B.J. Hough of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Mrs. D.A. Whiting of Des Moines, Iowa, as well as a hosts of other relatives and friends.
John always had a keen interest in his community life and its welfare and willing to help at any time of need. Even after affliction had weakened his body, his desire to be doing something remained strong. Throughout his life, Kreiss took an active interest in politics and in municipal affairs, serving with the volunteer fire department and becoming known as Keosauqua's river expert. Knowing the currents and eddies of the river, Kreiss recovered two bodies of drowned persons after others had given up the search.
He was converted in a meeting held in Keosauqua by Mr. A.K. Harper of Fairfield and united with the Methodist church where he remained a loyal and devoted member until the time of his death. For a number of years he served as a member of the Board of Stewards and was faithful in the discharge of every duty entrusted to him. In his passing the church and community have suffered a great loss.
Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. C.H. Orf, were held at the Keosauqua Methodist church Sunday afternoon June 11, 1939.
Interment was in Purdom Cemetery.
Mr. Kreiss had been in downtown Keosauqua the day before his death, an incident typical of his insistence on "keeping going" until the last. Although he had suffered a stroke previously, he took work at the state capitol last winter which he was forced to abandon after another stroke.
He came to town regularly upon his return to Keosauqua.

Keosauqua Republican
July 6, 1939