John Moritz

John Fredrick Moritz, 1961 -2024

Father, brother, and friend to many people and animals.

John Fredrick Moritz, 63, of Council Bluffs, Iowa died at his home on July 17, 2024.

John was born in Pensacola, Florida on January 19, 1961 to Kenneth Fredrick and Doris Nadine (Hall) Moritz. His father was in the Navy and when John was 6, his father settled the family on a small acreage, just outside of city limits, on Coit Road in Council Bluffs, Iowa. John lived the rest of his childhood in Council Bluffs and made it his home as an adult.

John was an avid fan of pretty much all things in nature and the outdoors, especially dogs. When he was a young boy living on the acreage, John helped his dad raise sheep, where his love for all creatures began. There wasn't a single one of God's creatures that John didn't care for. From the birds that fly above us to the snakes that slither below our feet. He made sure the birds had suet hanging in the trees and bird seed in the feeders. The squirrels had corn. The stray (so he said) cats had food and water. The deer had corn and salt blocks. He even made sure the raccoons got their fair share of sustenance.

During his childhood, John was very active in the Boy Scouts of America. During this time, he earned 29 merit badges, held the scout lifeguard award, was a member of the order of arrow and attended 5 summer camps. He earned the highest attainable rank of Eagle Scout in July of 1976. John was a man of many talents. He used to say, "I know a little bit about a lot of things." He used those talents in many different jobs in his early adulthood. He worked as a photographer for a brief time. From 1980-1985, he worked as a banquet staff member for a large hotel in Omaha, NE, where in 1982, he met Donna Zpevak, who many years later, he married and had a family with. From there he went to work for American Plastics as a warehouse manager for several years.

In 1997, when he decided to marry and start a family, he applied for a job with the United States Postal Service. John passed on a couple of assignments with the post office, holding out for a Letter Carrier assignment. His philosophy, if he had to work a manual labor job, he wanted to be outside for the majority of the time. John began his lifelong career for the USPS as a Letter Carrier on July 19, 1997 at the South Omaha Station in Nebraska and remained there until his death. While with the USPS he was also safety manager for his station. John was known by all his customers as the dog treat carrier. As long as he was working, he had dog treats. John's "friends" (because they weren't just customers to him) on his routes were known to set their watches by him. He made sure, whenever possible, that he kept on schedule so that he could see his fur friends and give them a treat.

John married Donna on April 25, 1998. From this union were born 5 children, 2 daughters and 3 sons.

John is survived by his children and their significant others, Faith (Matthew Hess), David (Tori Sievers), Sean, Corbin, and Amanda; his sister Rev. Dr. Karen Rae Moritz; daughter by choice, Brookelynn Mackey; the mother of his children, Donna Moritz; cousins, nieces, nephews, and more friends than can be listed.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Doris (Hall) Moritz; his brother, David; lifelong friends, Les Mackey and Gary Halterman.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Wednesday, July 24, from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home, Council Bluffs, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be used in accordance with John's wishes.