Rev. John Paul Hantla

The Rev. John Paul Hantla, 80 of Sioux City passed away peacefully on Friday, April 18, 2014 at the Sunrise Retirement Community after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's. He met his affliction with dignity and grace. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Church of All Nations. Rev. Martha Anderson will officiate. Private family graveside services will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Monday with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Monday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave. John Hantla was born March 18, 1934 in Sioux City. He was the son of John Perry and Naomi (Brian) Hantla. John grew up in Sioux City and graduated from East High School in 1953 and Morningside College in 1957. He received a Master's Degree in Divinity from Drew University in 1959 and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Morningside College. John married Ruth Anne Grindberg August 19, 1954 in Sioux City. John spent his early career pastoring several Churches in rural New York state. In 1959 John returned to Sioux City to become the Superintendent of Wall Street Mission/Goodwill Industries, the organization founded by his father, the Reverend John Perry Hantla. Having grown up attending the Church of All Nations in the "South Bottoms" neighborhood that Wall Street Mission served, John later revived the Church of All Nations congregation to a country church that was relocated to Goodwill's present West Fourth Street location. Over the years, John was the recipient of numerous national Goodwill Industries Awards and was a leader in the national "Goodwill Movement". He served as President of the Sioux City Goodwill until his retirement in 1996. He leaves a legacy that touched thousands of people in the Sioux City area. John enjoyed exploring nature and he loved animals. An avid outdoorsman, he was always having some adventure, whether it was hiking in the mountains, canoeing down a river or exploring the wilderness of the west. He was a great story teller and had an amazing ability to remember and tell jokes. He was a member of the Sioux City Consistory and the Masonic Lodge. Survivors include his wife: Ruth of Sioux City, a son: John Phillip Hantla (Carol) of Sergeant Bluff, IA; a daughter: Deborah Moore (Steve) of South Sioux City, NE; 6 grandchildren: David and Mark Hantla, Audrey Anderson (Greg), Tom, Brian and Michelle Moore. Rev. Hantla was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Dorothy Hantla (Jenks) and Mary Ruth Hantla Memorials may be directed to Camp Goodwill in care of Goodwill of the Great Plains.