John Edmond Worsfold III

John Edmond Worsfold III

Fairfield

John Edmond Worsfold III passed away unexpectedly on May 3, 2025, at the University of Iowa hospital, shortly after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. He was surrounded by loved ones as he passed peacefully.

John was born on January 11, 1952, in Allentown, PA, to Betty (Geating) Worsfold and John (Jack) Edmond Worsfold II. His family moved to Baltimore, MD, when he was nine, and he graduated from Bel Air High School in 1970, starting college at Bethany College later that year. He graduated from Bethany in 1974 with a degree in Sociology and Music. John was initiated into Transcendental Meditation (TM) in 1973 (he credited TM with resolving his debilitating migraines) and, after graduating college, spent time doing TM teacher training in the Pocono Mountains, where he also started cooking. He did some of his TM training in Europe and completed his training there in 1976, spending time with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a proud moment for him. After graduating as a TM teacher, he moved to Maine, where his mother was living, to teach TM and work as a cook. During an introductory TM lecture, John met his future wife, Kim; they married in 1980 and had two daughters. John started working in Telecom as an engineer around this time, which eventually led him to Fairfield, IA, where he lived for most of his adult life. John worked for Telegroup for a time, where he had an opportunity to travel the world working on engineering and installing telephone switches. This opportunity also allowed him to take his family on a trip to Hong Kong and China, where they made wonderful family memories. John started working for LISCO in 2001, developing many cherished friendships with coworkers, and he worked there until the end of his life. John also worked as a massage therapist for nearly 20 years and was known for his strong hands and intuitive, healing touch.

John was a lifelong learner with a deep curiosity about self-development and awareness. He embraced an active lifestyle, whether riding his bike, playing Wallyball, swimming, hiking Mt. Katahdin in Maine, or participating in RAGBRAI, including rides with his sister, Bonnie. An annual tradition was his trek up Mt. Katahdin, often culminating in a headstand at the summit. Beyond his physical activities, John was a talented musician with a booming voice, skilled on guitar and violin. He and his daughter, Sarah, performed together, and he also enjoyed community theatre and musicals. Known as a good cook, he loved preparing breakfast and made famous fudge for Christmas. John was deeply involved with a men's group and the TM community, nurturing cherished connections. As a wonderful family man, he provided unwavering support and will be remembered for his presence, strength, integrity, encouragement, fortitude, and solidity.

John is survived by his sister, Bonnie Kapelanczyk (husband Frank) of Big Fork, MT; his stepdaughter, Kari-Ann Brewer of Carmel, ME (child Waylon Burr); his daughters, Ananda Usman of Port Orchard, WA (husband Modibo Usman and children Joseph Worsfold-Alexander, Ameera, Rabiya, Zayad, and Muaz'n Usman) and Sarah De Preter of Brooklin, ME (husband Ryan Lucey and children Neomi and Eirawen Lucey); his partner Danielle Shier of Fairfield; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends and family. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Worsfold; his mother, Betty Worsfold; his sister, Candace Hall; and his former wife of 40 years, Kim Worsfold.

A celebration of life will be held in Fairfield, IA at the Phoenix Rising Hall on November 8, 2025. Details to follow.