JOHN ESSICK West Des Moines Services for John Essick, 59, who passed away Friday, December 20, 2013 at home in West Des Moines, will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, December 26 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery. John was born on November 18, 1954 in Indianola, Iowa, to Richard and Mary (Dillard) Essick. John was an Army Veteran and served 15 months in the service. John was born the younger identical twin of James Essick. John was raised on his parent's farm and enjoyed feeding the baby pigs,baling hay and driving the tractor when his older brother Richard would allow him. John was a graduate of Indianola High School. He ran track, participated in field sports and won many awards and ribbons. He joined the Army at the age of 19 and served as a Military Police Officer. He met his wife, Tamra Butcher, at the age of 24. They were married for 29 years and had 3 children, Ashley, Nathaniel and Alix Essick. John worked as a laborer and metal fabrication specialist. John had his first grandchild, who he adored, at the age of 57. John enjoyed fishing with his brother, golfing with his friends and watching football with his family. John was a family oriented man who loved his children, grandchild, mother, brothers, sister, nieces and nephews. John Essick touched the hearts of many, though he always thought of himself as just a simple man. Survivors include his son, Nathaniel Essick of Des Moines, Iowa; two daughters and their husbands, Ashley Essick and Heath Morrow of Dallas, Texas, Alix Essick and Benjamin Schwechel of Altoona, Iowa; one grandson Landon Essick; the mother of his children Tamra Kiel; his mother Mary Catherine (Dillard) Essick; two brothers Richard Essick and James Essick; and a sister Beth Cutwright. He was preceded in death by his father Richard Essick; brother Dennis Essick; brother in-law Mifflin Cutwright; and father in-law Rev. H. Wayne Butcher. Visitation will be held prior to services on Thursday, December 26 at Overton Funeral Home from 12:30 to 2 p.m. If desired, memorial contribution may be directed to the family for distribution at their discretion. Online condolences may be made at www.overtonfunerals.com.