John McLaughlin of Glidden

John Henry McLaughlin October 4, 1937 – November 8, 2025 Even before his birth, God designed John to love and serve others. From his earliest days, God’s hand was evident in his life-creating a farm boy who loved to help his parents, Bruce A and Iva (Brown) McLaughlin, during the waning years of hand-picking corn. His parents nurtured in him a strong faith, and at a young age he came to understand his need for a Savior and gave his heart to Jesus. He remained a member of Pleasant Ridge Church throughout his life, where his sister Vesta Kidney, twenty years his senior, was often found rocking babies in the nursery.

John graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1955. Encouraged by his sister Genevieve Turner, 12 years his senior, to pursue college and study the emerging field of television, he attended Iowa State. His first career was an agricultural broadcaster, with universities and stations in Fargo, Omaha, and Lincoln. In time, his brother Bruce (Betty), 10 years his senior, called him back home to the farm located on Zephyr Ave, south of Ralston. From riding bareback as a young boy to raising Arabian horses with his brother, John’s love for horses never faded.

In 1971 they bought a small company, Scranton Manufacturing, making ag products such as round bale feeders and horse gates. God allowed the farm crisis of the 1980’s as a trial in John’s life. He lost everything, but his faith in God. Determined he set an example for his children John B, Kim (Steve Goetsch), Mike (Amy), Natalie (Scott Taylor). Bruised but not broken, he persevered. Scranton Manufacturing evolved through trial and innovation and eventually New Way garbage trucks became the company’s flagship product. Inspired by Christian businessman Stanley Tam, John dedicated the business to God, declaring, “God owns my business.”

In the 1970s, John was called to serve in Men for Missions, traveling to more than 30 countries as the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing the Good News and serving others. He used his broadcasting background to assist 4VEH, a Christian radio-TV station in Haiti, for over 30 years.

A passionate aviator, John enjoyed 50 years as a private pilot and pursued helicopter flying later in life. His creativity shone through his storytelling, his sense of humor, and his love of ballroom and swing dancing. When he met and danced with Karine, he asked her: “Are you a follower of Jesus?” Their shared faith became the foundation of their love, and they were married in 2004. John gained two sons, Kyle (Brooke) and Kevin Mott.

Prayer was the center of John’s life. In 2010, he needed the same prayers he had faithfully lifted for others -due to medical challenges in Tibet and China, an airplane incident, and a race car accident. When he faced cancer, his prayer became, “Jesus and me, cancer free in ’23.” God graciously granted him three more summers at his happy place, Lake Sallie in Minnesota.

John’s daily prayer was that every member of his family-and generations yet to come-would know Jesus personally. These include grandchildren Aaron (Erika), Nathan (Ellie), Johnathon (Theresa), Mike (Haley), Jordan McLaughlin, Courtney Goetsch, Nick (Lucienne) Goetsch, Emily (Dillan) Schmiedt, Elias Taylor, Ivy and Eva Mott; great grands: Max, Vinny, Carson, Ayla and Beckham Mclaughlin, Olive Schmiedt, Nico and Theodore Goetsch.

John’s life was one of faith, perseverance, and joy-a testimony to the goodness of God in every season. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to 4VEH, PO Box 1931, Columbus, IN 47202 or Pleasant Ridge Evangelical Free Church PO Box 605 Glidden, IA 51443.

A celebration of life and faith will be held at Pleasant Ridge Evangelical Free Church in Glidden, Iowa, 11 am Saturday, January 3rd Family will be present before and following the service.