John Lester DeBolt

John Lester DeBolt, age 74, of Carroll, IA, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 after a short illness at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home from 5 – 6:45 P.M. on Monday prior to the service.

A graveside service will be held at the Emmerson Cemetery in Emmerson, IA, at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for a later designation.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

John was born on October 28, 1951 in Council Bluffs, IA, and he was the son of Lester and Evelyn (Selser) DeBolt. He grew up in Red Oak where he graduated from high school in 1970 where he was on the student council for four years and served as class president.  He attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO, where he earned a master’s degree in Juvenile Justice.  John was in ROTC while attending college from 1970 - 1973.  He was married to Myrna Wilson on July 1, 1978 in Milford, IA. To this union, two daughters were born: Laura and Cara. John worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Harrisonville, MO, and they moved to Carroll in 1980 where he continued his career as a Juvenile Probation Officer. John was remarried to Joyce Behrens in 1996 and to this union two children were born: Emily and James.

John was active with the Carroll Underwater Rescue and the Carroll Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He also proudly taught fire school in Ames. He owned Video Professionals where he loved capturing people’s weddings, dance recitals, and broadcasting Methodist church services on 10 TV. He enjoyed riding on RAGBRAII with his family and friends, spending time outdoors, his dogs, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. The pride and joy of John’s life were his children, grandchildren, and friends.

John is survived by his children and their families: Laura McNatt (Jason) of Clive, Cara Bloom (Dustin) of Ankeny, Emily DeBolt of Sioux Falls, and James DeBolt of Ames. He is also survived by his grandchildren Elyse, Ellison, Ailey and Nolan; a sister Jean Friesen of Red Oak; two nieces; one nephew; and other extended family members. John was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Evelyn DeBolt; his brother Jeff DeBolt; and a brother-in-law Milford Friesen.