John Wells

Harlan - John William Wells, was born to Lila and John Jerome Wells on May 14, 1960, in Harlan, Iowa. He attended St. Paul’s Catholic School in Defiance, Iowa until 1974 when he started attending Harlan Community High School where he graduated in 1978. After high school, John went on to work at the Dubuque Packing House and then as a welder at Deba and Petersen Manufacturing both in Denison, Iowa. He also enjoyed working on motorcycles and worked at Custom Cycle and Small Engines in Denison; he also created Defiance Small Engines and repaired the community’s mowers, his last career in which he enjoyed was at Job Corps in Denison, Iowa.
John married Teresa Sabin and together they had four children: John, Dillon, Crystal, and Angelina. Some of his main hobbies included riding on his Spyder motorcycle, spending time outside, helping his friends with yard work, and enjoying music both live and on vinyl. John enjoyed tinkering and solving issues with metal fabricating. John designed a steel plate and modified Lawn Boy mowers and ensured the mower could “live again”. He also loved going to church, assisting with worship service and wanted to help people learn about Jesus.
John passed away at his home in Defiance, Iowa on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, attaining the age of 64 years, 7 months, and 24 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Jerome and Lila Wells.
He is survived by his children, John (Andrea) Wells of Blair, NE, Dillon Wells of Gretna, NE, Crystal Wells of Brandon FL, and Angelina (Fabian) Balsley of Harlan, IA; brother, Bob (Annette) Wells of Lake View, IA; close friends, Teresa Wells; Clem Henkleman and many other relatives and many friends.
 An 11:00 AM Memorial Service was officiated by Rev. Jeff Erlemeier on Wednesday, January 22, 2024 at Faith Family Church in Harlan, Iowa.
Pauley Jones Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.