John Edward Vaughan, 77, passed away peacefully at Accura Healthcare of Aurelia, Iowa on July 12, 2026. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, love, and laughter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee, Iowa.  Father Dan Rupp will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount Calvary Cemetery at Cherokee, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will take place an hour prior to mass beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the church.  The Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in John's honor to be made to them for a future project in John's honor.  

John was born on August 21, 1948, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Bernard and Frances (Miller) Vaughan. The family later moved to Cherokee, Iowa, where he was raised. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where he attended school and graduated high school. He remained a lifelong man of faith. Prayer, especially the Rosary and the Our Father, brought him comfort throughout his life and sustained him through both joyful and difficult times.

John dedicated 33 years to Wilson Foods in Cherokee before suffering a stroke at the age of 57 that forever changed his life. Although the stroke limited him physically, it never diminished his spirit. He continued to embrace each day with gratitude, enjoying card games, listening to music, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and other sports teams, and spending time with family and friends. His perseverance, optimism, and quiet strength inspired everyone who knew him.

For the past 20 years, John has made his home at Accura Healthcare in Aurelia, Iowa. There, he formed lasting friendships and found a second family among the residents and staff. He often shared how grateful he was for the kindness, compassion, and genuine care he received. The friendships he built and the love he experienced there brought him great comfort and joy.

Family was the center of John's life. He treasured every opportunity to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was always ready with a joke, a playful comment, or a warm smile that could brighten someone's day. His generous heart, unwavering love, and wonderful sense of humor will be deeply missed.

John is lovingly survived by his children: David Vaughan (Jodie) of Windsor, Colorado; Kristi Phipps (Bob) of Aurelia, Iowa; and Vicki Allbaugh (Brian Nelson) of Des Moines, Iowa.

He was a proud grandfather to Amanda Townsend (Todd) of Elkhart, Iowa; Breanne Vaughan and Ryan Vaughan of Colorado; Alyssa Maymon (Cameron) and Adam Phipps (Andrea) of Aurelia, Iowa; and Sara Shupe of Ida Grove, Iowa.

He was also blessed with 14 great-grandchildren: Bosh, Veronika, Tobin, Othia, Emmarie, Carter, Coldin-John, Adelina, Alonzo, Danika, Ivy, Jacob, Kade, and Paisley, each of whom brought him immeasurable joy.

John is also survived by his brother, Ben Vaughan (Shari) of Norwalk, Iowa; his sister, Debra Rogge (Don) of Loveland, Colorado; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Frances Vaughan; his sisters, Cherie Vaughan and Mary Jane Vaughan; his grandsons, Alex Allbaugh and Brett Phipps; his great-grandson, Ryker-David; and many beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, a niece, and a nephew.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Accura Healthcare in Aurelia for the exceptional care, compassion, and friendship they shared with John over the past two decades. Their kindness enriched his life and brought immeasurable comfort to his family.

John's family finds peace in knowing he has been welcomed into the loving arms of his Savior and joyfully reunited with those who have gone before him. Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy of faith, perseverance, kindness, and unconditional love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.