John Huffman
March 16, 1961 ~ May 12, 2016
John Wm. Huffman age 55 of New Hampton, Iowa died Thursday, May 12, 2016, peacefully at his home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating and Rev. Phil Recker con-celebrating the Mass. Lectors for the service will be Alex Huffman and Shawn Huffman. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Amanda Trask, Monica Recker and Jenny Voves.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton with Nathan Schwickerath, Adam Schwickerath, Terri Josephson, Brian Hoffman, Dave Eschweiler and Brad Huffman. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Straw, Tom McDermott, Jim Klunder, Bill Brown, Joe Kalishek, Brian Laures and Derwin Robinson.
Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 6:30 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday.
John William Huffman was born March 16, 1961, in New Hampton, IA, the son of Ray and Rosemary (Lucey) Huffman. He received his education at St. Joseph Community School and worked as a custodial helper for two years while there. John graduated from the New Hampton High School in 1979. He also attended two years seminary education at Loras College in Dubuque. In 1974, John started washing dishes at Tom's Restaurant and it wasn't long before he began his journey as a cook. After four years at Tom's he cooked at various places, such as Straw's Pizza Kitchen, Crystal Grill, Pinicon, Bread Basket and Poor Richards. In 1987, he moved to Georgia, where he cooked at a lodge in the North Georgia Mountains, even preparing several dinners for former President Carter and his wife. After the lodge was sold in 1994, John moved back to New Hampton. He continued to work in the culinary business at the Time Out Lounge and the Uptown Cafe in Charles City. Later he moved to Horton and cooked at Tori's for five years. In 2001, John moved back to New Hampton and cooked for Bill Straw at Chaffs, now Big Ed's Firehouse.
John was a member of Holy Family Parish and a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus. He was a huge Iowa Hawkeye Fan and loved all their sporting events. He enjoyed time with family, canvas painting, decorating his home, watching old western movies, and his puppy Red. He will always be remembered for his reserved demeanor and desire to please others, especially his great-nieces and nephews.
John left this message for all his friends and family, 'Remember me with smiles and laughter, not with sorrow and tears. I'm in a better place now and having a few beers! I would always say, see ya later or see ya next time, so I will now bid you all a heartfelt good-bye.'
Survivors include one sister, Pat (Dennis) Ruffridge of Cresco; two brothers, Mike (Donna) Huffman of Cedar Falls and Dan (Sue) Huffman of New Hampton; one brother-in-law, Richard Recker of New Hampton; one sister-in-law, Annie Huffman of Atlanta; 10 nieces and nephews and 15 great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Mark Huffman on July 15, 2011; one sister, Peg Recker on February 14, 1999; one brother-in-law, Dan Schwickerath on October 15, 1988.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services created a video in memory of John Wm. Huffman
I enjoyed the time I worked with John at the Crystal Grill. He always made me smile. RIP John
My husband and I so enjoyed the time John Boy spent working for us at the Uptown. He was a fun loving man to be around. He would be dressed in his whites with that cute smile on his face. Mary Moobery
Sending our sympathy to the Huffman at this sad time of the passing of John. Steve and Deb Pesek
To DJ and the entire Huffman family – you have our deepest sympathy! I’ve been thinking about my dear friend ‘John Boy’ all weekend long and the good memories are too many to count! I first met John via a beer party back in high school, we were probably 11-12, he came with his older sister Peg to a party my older brother Buck threw at our house. We’ve been good friends ever since. But 3 things come to mind when I think of John: 1. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog! John Boy had a huge heart and was tough as nails. 2. When we graduated he gave me a belt buckle that said, ‘Hunters never die, they just stay loaded!’ While we never hunted(not once), we definitely got loaded a few times! I still have it have, never wore it, but might have to shine it up a bit and drink a toast! 3. John always made me laugh, he was witty and had a great, dry sense of humor. Whenever I got back to NH, I always tried to visit John, which usually meant finding out where he was cooking(was he ever NOT COOKING?), walking into the kitchen and announcing, ‘JOHN BOY! Make mine a medium and hold the SPIT!’ to which he would always reply, ‘I don’t do that! But for you I might make an exception. HEHEHE’ Finally, I would just like to say John Boy, ‘R.I.P. my good friend – ‘Stay loaded and hold the spit!’ Much love!!
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of John Wm. Huffman.
Dorothy And Irvin Nystel lit a candle in memory of John Wm. Huffman
Huffman family you have our deepest sympathy.
Blooming Garden Basket was purchased for the family of John Wm. Huffman.
John was the best chef in New Hampton. Drank a few beers with John in our younger years. John always had a smile and good word to say when we would get together to watch football or bowl a few games. My deepest sympathies to all of the Huffman family. John was a great man and friend to all he met. Mike Fitzgerald
Rest well my friend..give Peg a hug for us….
Dave and I send our sympathy to the family.
Our deepest sympathy to John’s family and close friends. Cherish the memories. Joe and Sharon Haskovec
He was the best cook ever!
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are prayers to the family. Gary, Terry & Courtney Ball
John was a great person. Have a lot of great memories working with him at Tori’s. He taught me everything I know about being a cook. Thanks for everything John you will be forever missed!
John and I had some great times cooking at Poor Richards together years ago, he taught me a lot. He was a great friend and cook, miss you John boy. Rest in peace.
John was a Great Friend and the Best Chef I knew. You will be mised by all!!! Rest Im Peace John and please tell Peggy hi for me.
Many fun memories of John in school. He was truely a fun person and sadly I havnt seen him since 1976.. RIP.
Dan and family!! So sorry to hear about John. He was a great guy! Hugs to all!! Galen and Deann
Our Sympathy to the Huffman Family. John was a wonderful chef and he will be missed by many. He was always a polite and soft spoken friend to everyone that knew him. Jim & MaryAnn Diesburg Also just a note from Branna Elenz whom worked with him @ Big Ed’s : ‘ I loved working with Johnny and will miss him very much! Sorry I’m in school in England and will miss the services.’
I am so very sorry and saddened for your family’s loss!! John was such a sweet man!! Many fond memories of growing up around John and all you Huffmans!! May he rest in peace– Bless his heart!!! Love you all!! Staci Dahl
Rick Weber lit a candle in memory of John Wm. Huffman
Many fun memories with John when we were getting your driver’s license back in 1976… He was always there to help through the years if you needed it… I am very sad to hear the news… Rest in peace my old friend
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. Prayers and thoughts for the whole family during this difficult time.
LINDA AND GARY STEVEN lit a candle in memory of John Wm. Huffman
So sorry to hear about John. May the memories of your loved one comfort you at this time. All our thoughts and prayers. David and Jeanne Roder
Sorry to hear of John passing,he was a class mate to me. Jean (Flick)Hackman .And Rich.
Sorry to hear of your loss. John was a wonderful person and will be missed dearly. Love Dawn Katz
Sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers to all the family!
My deepest sympathy! Prayers to the Huffman family. Classmate, Adrianne Budweg-Iverson
Thinking of the Huffmans, John was a gentle soul–
Deepest sympathy and prayers to the entire Huffman family. Keep his loving and kind ways always close to your hearts. Like John said, ‘I’m in a better place…’ Indeed he is. With symapthy, Dave and Terry Utterback
Thinking of the Huffmans. John was my classmate and was always fun to be around. HE will be missed. Debbie Weidler