Jack Joseph Ahlen, 82 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 11:05 am Thursday, March 10, 2011 at the Fort Madison Community Hospital, Fort Madison, Iowa. He was born May 3, 1928 at Fort Madison, Iowa, a son of John Henry and Nora Blanch (Malard) Ahlen. On October 28, 1978, he married Elizabeth Louise Evans at Mantua, Ohio.

Jack was a 1946 graduate of Fort Madison High School. He served 26 years in the United States Navy as a helicopter mechanic. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After retirement in 1977, he returned to Fort Madison. He then attended Southeastern Community College and earned an Applied Science Degree in gunsmithing. He operated J & B Gun Repair in his home for 10 years, retiring in 1991. He also drove a school bus for the Fort Madison School System for 8 years. He was a member of Holy Family Parish. He was a life member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, a member of Fleet Reserve Association and the Knight of Columbus. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by Elizabeth Ahlen, of Fort Madison, Iowa; five sons: Patrick (wife Kathy) Ahlen, of Milton, Florida; Jack R. (wife Ann) Ahlen, of Milton, Florida; William (wife Laura) Cartwright, of Edingburg, Ohio; Verl (wife Margaret) Cartwright, of Fort Madison, Iowa; and Mark (wife Julie) Cartwright, of Fort Madison, Iowa; four daughters: Sarah Pilgrim, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Lynn Wengatz, of Mantua, Ohio; Josianne (husband Richard) Benjamin, of Mantua, Ohio; and Etta Price, of Edingburg, Ohio; one sister, Winifred Turin, of McCloud, California; 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Leo Ahlen, two sisters, Mary Sylvester and Ruth Bennett, and two sons, Michael Ahlen and Mark Ahlen.

Friends may call after 1:00 pm Monday, March 14, 2011 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Monday evening, with a Christian Wake Service being held at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday March 15, 2011 at Holy Family Parish, Sacred Heart Church, with Reverend David Wilkening, as celebrant. Following the services his body will be cremated. Private graveside services with full military rites will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established for Alzheimer's Research, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel.