John Chriss Provenzano, Jr. was born September 22, 1947 in Ottumwa, Iowa the son of John C. Provenzano, Sr. and Jennie Ada (Johnston) Provenzano.

John was raised in Pershing and graduated from Twin Cedars with the Class of 1967. He attended Bible College in Minnesota before taking a job at Maytag in Newton. He worked at Maytag for 30 years, retiring from the paint department. He also raised livestock northwest of Albia for 37 years. John was united twice in marriage where he had seven children, before uniting in marriage with Nelly Cook in 2017.

In his spare time, John was an avid hunter and enjoyed mushrooming and fishing. He also appreciated Native American artifacts and hunting arrowheads. John was also a lover of animals.

John passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Accura of Knoxville at the age of 78 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons: John Chriss III and Jesse Frank.

Those left to cherish John’s memory include his wife, Nellie; children: Ike (Michele) Provenzano, Jennie (Brandin) Jordan, Crystal Julius, Christopher Provenzano, and Johnathon Provenzano; step-children: Destiny Webber, Brian Hacker, Charlie (Shonda) Hacker, and Sherry Luckey; siblings: Cynthia Williams, Everett Provenzano, Raymond Provenzano, Roy Provenzano, Tena Lee and Terri Provenzano and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospitals.