*CLICK ON IMAGES FOR BEST VIEWING. THE ANGEL ON HIS STONE WAS STOLEN.
Little John died from complications of a heart transplant he received at the age of 13 months.I am proud to say that I am his God Mother.
Little John is buried next to his grandpa Henry Martzahn; whom he never got to meet in life.Son of Helen Elizabeth Lanigan & John Thomas Martzahn.Grandson of Henry & Joyce Foley Martzahn Connell & James & Ollie Adams Sellwood Lanigan; brother of Sharon Martzahn Henkle.
John Mathew Martzahn
Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for John M. Martzahn, 12, Davenport, will be 10 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2004, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.Burial wil be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Little John passed away Monday, February 9, 2004, at the University Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, from complications of a heart transplant he had received when he was only 13 months old. John Mathew Martzahn was born December 23, 1991, in Davenport, the son of John and Helen ( Lanigan) Martzahn.John overcame many difficulties throughout his life, and was able to touch many lives through his involvement and participation with such organizations as, The Make A Wish Foundation, The Children's Miracle Network, and the Festival of Trees Parade.Memorials may be made to the John M. Martzahn Fund, P.O. Box 103, Davenport, IA 52805-0103. Survivors include his parents, John and Helen Martzahn, Davenport; a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Joe Henkel, Davenport; a niece, Caitlin Henkel, Davenport; his aunts, Anna Lanigan, Davenport, and Mary Lanigan, Oakley, Calif.; and a cousin, Kimber Ann Reisenauer-Maguire, Brentwood, Calif., as well as several other cousins.Little John was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Ollie Lanigan and Henry and Joyce Martzahn, and a cousin, Mark Allen Lanigan.The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the in-home nursing staff of Trinity Hospital, who, thanks to their loving care, allowed John to spend many precious moments and holidays at home with his family and friends.
*Courtesy of the Quad-City Times on 2/11/2004. Davenport, Iowa
My Father's Eyes My wife, Helen, and I never wanted to rush into a family. We were married when we were 20 years old and had our daughter, Sharon Marie, when we were 22. Not quite to plan, we had our son, John Mathew, when we were 42. Each one was, in effect, an only child--20 years apart. John, unfortunately, was born with only 3 chambers in his heart. When all else failed, he received a heart transplant when he was 13 months old.While the first two years of John's life, and the last two, were full of trials that no parents should ever have to experience, let alone a child, the years between were full of joy. John was not only a beautiful child, he was he was extraordinarily intelligent, sensitive and loving. He loved rock 'n'roll. His favorite artist, and I'm afraid it was my fault, was Eric Clapton. His favorite song was"Sunshine of Your Love." One day we were watching a video when that song came on. I said, "Now THAT'S rock 'n' roll!" Months later we heard the song on the radio. John said, "Hey Dad, they're playing "Rock 'n' Roll!" I chuckled and expained the truth of the matter. Years later, when we were listening to the album "Pilgrim," the song "My Father's Eyes" came on. I explained to John that the song was based on the fact that Eric Clapton had never known his father. To my shock, John began to cry. He was saddened by the fact that Mr. Clapton had had to grow up without a father. Sometimes, being a father is painful and yet you would not miss a chance to feel the pain as well as the joy. John died February 9, 2004, not too long after his twelfth birthday. Several years later I was musing on the "My Father's Eyes" incident, which had affected me more than I would have expected. Suddenly I realized that, in a way, it was my story. My father had died when I was five years old. Even now whenI think of it I get a lump in my throat. I miss my father's eyes.John Martzahn, February 2014
Little John died from complications of a heart transplant he received at the age of 13 months.I am proud to say that I am his God Mother.
Little John is buried next to his grandpa Henry Martzahn; whom he never got to meet in life.Son of Helen Elizabeth Lanigan & John Thomas Martzahn.Grandson of Henry & Joyce Foley Martzahn Connell & James & Ollie Adams Sellwood Lanigan; brother of Sharon Martzahn Henkle.
John Mathew Martzahn
Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for John M. Martzahn, 12, Davenport, will be 10 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2004, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.Burial wil be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Little John passed away Monday, February 9, 2004, at the University Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, from complications of a heart transplant he had received when he was only 13 months old. John Mathew Martzahn was born December 23, 1991, in Davenport, the son of John and Helen ( Lanigan) Martzahn.John overcame many difficulties throughout his life, and was able to touch many lives through his involvement and participation with such organizations as, The Make A Wish Foundation, The Children's Miracle Network, and the Festival of Trees Parade.Memorials may be made to the John M. Martzahn Fund, P.O. Box 103, Davenport, IA 52805-0103. Survivors include his parents, John and Helen Martzahn, Davenport; a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Joe Henkel, Davenport; a niece, Caitlin Henkel, Davenport; his aunts, Anna Lanigan, Davenport, and Mary Lanigan, Oakley, Calif.; and a cousin, Kimber Ann Reisenauer-Maguire, Brentwood, Calif., as well as several other cousins.Little John was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Ollie Lanigan and Henry and Joyce Martzahn, and a cousin, Mark Allen Lanigan.The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the in-home nursing staff of Trinity Hospital, who, thanks to their loving care, allowed John to spend many precious moments and holidays at home with his family and friends.
*Courtesy of the Quad-City Times on 2/11/2004. Davenport, Iowa
My Father's Eyes My wife, Helen, and I never wanted to rush into a family. We were married when we were 20 years old and had our daughter, Sharon Marie, when we were 22. Not quite to plan, we had our son, John Mathew, when we were 42. Each one was, in effect, an only child--20 years apart. John, unfortunately, was born with only 3 chambers in his heart. When all else failed, he received a heart transplant when he was 13 months old.While the first two years of John's life, and the last two, were full of trials that no parents should ever have to experience, let alone a child, the years between were full of joy. John was not only a beautiful child, he was he was extraordinarily intelligent, sensitive and loving. He loved rock 'n'roll. His favorite artist, and I'm afraid it was my fault, was Eric Clapton. His favorite song was"Sunshine of Your Love." One day we were watching a video when that song came on. I said, "Now THAT'S rock 'n' roll!" Months later we heard the song on the radio. John said, "Hey Dad, they're playing "Rock 'n' Roll!" I chuckled and expained the truth of the matter. Years later, when we were listening to the album "Pilgrim," the song "My Father's Eyes" came on. I explained to John that the song was based on the fact that Eric Clapton had never known his father. To my shock, John began to cry. He was saddened by the fact that Mr. Clapton had had to grow up without a father. Sometimes, being a father is painful and yet you would not miss a chance to feel the pain as well as the joy. John died February 9, 2004, not too long after his twelfth birthday. Several years later I was musing on the "My Father's Eyes" incident, which had affected me more than I would have expected. Suddenly I realized that, in a way, it was my story. My father had died when I was five years old. Even now whenI think of it I get a lump in my throat. I miss my father's eyes.John Martzahn, February 2014
*CLICK ON IMAGES FOR BEST VIEWING. THE ANGEL ON HIS STONE WAS STOLEN.
Little John died from complications of a heart transplant he received at the age of 13 months.I am proud to say that I am his God Mother.
Little John is buried next to his grandpa Henry Martzahn; whom he never got to meet in life.Son of Helen Elizabeth Lanigan & John Thomas Martzahn.Grandson of Henry & Joyce Foley Martzahn Connell & James & Ollie Adams Sellwood Lanigan; brother of Sharon Martzahn Henkle.
John Mathew Martzahn
Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for John M. Martzahn, 12, Davenport, will be 10 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2004, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.Burial wil be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Little John passed away Monday, February 9, 2004, at the University Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, from complications of a heart transplant he had received when he was only 13 months old. John Mathew Martzahn was born December 23, 1991, in Davenport, the son of John and Helen ( Lanigan) Martzahn.John overcame many difficulties throughout his life, and was able to touch many lives through his involvement and participation with such organizations as, The Make A Wish Foundation, The Children's Miracle Network, and the Festival of Trees Parade.Memorials may be made to the John M. Martzahn Fund, P.O. Box 103, Davenport, IA 52805-0103. Survivors include his parents, John and Helen Martzahn, Davenport; a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Joe Henkel, Davenport; a niece, Caitlin Henkel, Davenport; his aunts, Anna Lanigan, Davenport, and Mary Lanigan, Oakley, Calif.; and a cousin, Kimber Ann Reisenauer-Maguire, Brentwood, Calif., as well as several other cousins.Little John was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Ollie Lanigan and Henry and Joyce Martzahn, and a cousin, Mark Allen Lanigan.The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the in-home nursing staff of Trinity Hospital, who, thanks to their loving care, allowed John to spend many precious moments and holidays at home with his family and friends.
*Courtesy of the Quad-City Times on 2/11/2004. Davenport, Iowa
My Father's Eyes My wife, Helen, and I never wanted to rush into a family. We were married when we were 20 years old and had our daughter, Sharon Marie, when we were 22. Not quite to plan, we had our son, John Mathew, when we were 42. Each one was, in effect, an only child--20 years apart. John, unfortunately, was born with only 3 chambers in his heart. When all else failed, he received a heart transplant when he was 13 months old.While the first two years of John's life, and the last two, were full of trials that no parents should ever have to experience, let alone a child, the years between were full of joy. John was not only a beautiful child, he was he was extraordinarily intelligent, sensitive and loving. He loved rock 'n'roll. His favorite artist, and I'm afraid it was my fault, was Eric Clapton. His favorite song was"Sunshine of Your Love." One day we were watching a video when that song came on. I said, "Now THAT'S rock 'n' roll!" Months later we heard the song on the radio. John said, "Hey Dad, they're playing "Rock 'n' Roll!" I chuckled and expained the truth of the matter. Years later, when we were listening to the album "Pilgrim," the song "My Father's Eyes" came on. I explained to John that the song was based on the fact that Eric Clapton had never known his father. To my shock, John began to cry. He was saddened by the fact that Mr. Clapton had had to grow up without a father. Sometimes, being a father is painful and yet you would not miss a chance to feel the pain as well as the joy. John died February 9, 2004, not too long after his twelfth birthday. Several years later I was musing on the "My Father's Eyes" incident, which had affected me more than I would have expected. Suddenly I realized that, in a way, it was my story. My father had died when I was five years old. Even now whenI think of it I get a lump in my throat. I miss my father's eyes.John Martzahn, February 2014
Little John died from complications of a heart transplant he received at the age of 13 months.I am proud to say that I am his God Mother.
Little John is buried next to his grandpa Henry Martzahn; whom he never got to meet in life.Son of Helen Elizabeth Lanigan & John Thomas Martzahn.Grandson of Henry & Joyce Foley Martzahn Connell & James & Ollie Adams Sellwood Lanigan; brother of Sharon Martzahn Henkle.
John Mathew Martzahn
Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for John M. Martzahn, 12, Davenport, will be 10 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2004, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.Burial wil be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery Little John passed away Monday, February 9, 2004, at the University Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, from complications of a heart transplant he had received when he was only 13 months old. John Mathew Martzahn was born December 23, 1991, in Davenport, the son of John and Helen ( Lanigan) Martzahn.John overcame many difficulties throughout his life, and was able to touch many lives through his involvement and participation with such organizations as, The Make A Wish Foundation, The Children's Miracle Network, and the Festival of Trees Parade.Memorials may be made to the John M. Martzahn Fund, P.O. Box 103, Davenport, IA 52805-0103. Survivors include his parents, John and Helen Martzahn, Davenport; a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Joe Henkel, Davenport; a niece, Caitlin Henkel, Davenport; his aunts, Anna Lanigan, Davenport, and Mary Lanigan, Oakley, Calif.; and a cousin, Kimber Ann Reisenauer-Maguire, Brentwood, Calif., as well as several other cousins.Little John was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Ollie Lanigan and Henry and Joyce Martzahn, and a cousin, Mark Allen Lanigan.The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the in-home nursing staff of Trinity Hospital, who, thanks to their loving care, allowed John to spend many precious moments and holidays at home with his family and friends.
*Courtesy of the Quad-City Times on 2/11/2004. Davenport, Iowa
My Father's Eyes My wife, Helen, and I never wanted to rush into a family. We were married when we were 20 years old and had our daughter, Sharon Marie, when we were 22. Not quite to plan, we had our son, John Mathew, when we were 42. Each one was, in effect, an only child--20 years apart. John, unfortunately, was born with only 3 chambers in his heart. When all else failed, he received a heart transplant when he was 13 months old.While the first two years of John's life, and the last two, were full of trials that no parents should ever have to experience, let alone a child, the years between were full of joy. John was not only a beautiful child, he was he was extraordinarily intelligent, sensitive and loving. He loved rock 'n'roll. His favorite artist, and I'm afraid it was my fault, was Eric Clapton. His favorite song was"Sunshine of Your Love." One day we were watching a video when that song came on. I said, "Now THAT'S rock 'n' roll!" Months later we heard the song on the radio. John said, "Hey Dad, they're playing "Rock 'n' Roll!" I chuckled and expained the truth of the matter. Years later, when we were listening to the album "Pilgrim," the song "My Father's Eyes" came on. I explained to John that the song was based on the fact that Eric Clapton had never known his father. To my shock, John began to cry. He was saddened by the fact that Mr. Clapton had had to grow up without a father. Sometimes, being a father is painful and yet you would not miss a chance to feel the pain as well as the joy. John died February 9, 2004, not too long after his twelfth birthday. Several years later I was musing on the "My Father's Eyes" incident, which had affected me more than I would have expected. Suddenly I realized that, in a way, it was my story. My father had died when I was five years old. Even now whenI think of it I get a lump in my throat. I miss my father's eyes.John Martzahn, February 2014
