John E. Fellmer, 79, of Oelwein, IA formerly of Cedar Falls, IA died on May 11, 2021 at his home in Oelwein.
John was born on July 17, 1941 in Waterloo, IA the son of Harold and Rose Fellmer. He was a 1959 graduate of Waterloo West High School, and went on to Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA. When he returned to Iowa, he married Linda Hansen and they made their home in Waterloo. Together they had a son, Chad. They later were separated. John started working in the parts department at his brother’s car company, Craig Fellmer’s Imports in Waterloo. It was not long before John started working for himself, he ran a Gulf Gas Station on the west side of Waterloo. He loved working on cars, and he started a company called Cedar Falls Motor Sports, which he worked on and raced cars. John traveled throughout the Midwest racing cars. John had a knack for business and saw a need in the Cedar Falls area. In 1972, he started Fellmer Motors, Inc. He turned an old goat farm into a scrap yard and took in damaged vehicles and salvaged parts for many years. John ran Fellmer Motors for forty-five years. He retired in 2017 and moved from Cedar Falls to Oelwein.
He is survived by his significant other, Midge Hildreth, Oelwein, IA, a son, Chad (Sue) Fellmer, La Porte City, IA, three grandchildren, Tony, Todd, and Nicole, a brother, Chuck Fellmer, Evergreen, CO, a sister-in-law, Charlene Fellmer, Waterloo, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Rose Fellmer, and a brother, Thomas Fellmer.