John Otley Falb, 87, of The Villages, Florida, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, companion, and friend, passed away peacefully late Friday, July 24, 2026, at Cornerstone Hospice.

Born June 19, 1939, in Postville, Iowa, to Honorine O. and John Falb Jr., John was a proud graduate of Postville High School and went on to earn a business degree from the University of Iowa. He played lead trumpet in the University of Iowa Band and the Iowa Marching band and performed in The Rose Bowl parade.

On July 11, 1959, John married the love of his life, Sarah A. “Sally” Mahan, at the United Methodist Church in Newton, Iowa, where they renewed those vows 50 years later. After living in Detroit and working for the Cadillac Division of General Motors, a growing family and opportunity drew them to Northeast Iowa. They built their home in West Union, rearing three children together while John and Sally fulfilled their roles as business and community leaders.

In 1966, they purchased and united the Falb family dealerships as The John Falb Company, purveying new Buick, Oldsmobile, and Chevrolet cars and Chevrolet trucks until his retirement in the 2000s. Building not only a successful automobile sales and service business, he also built lasting relationships with generations of customers, employees, and friends. His natural philosophy was simple and sincere: “People do business with people they like.”

His leadership extended beyond the dealership. John served on the Iowa Automotive Dealers Association (IADA) Board of Directors from 1978 to 1986 and as president in 1984. In 1985, he was bestowed the honor of being a national finalist for the TIME Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award. He served as IADA’s director to the National Automobile Dealers Association from 1997 to 2001 and was inducted into the IADA Hall of Fame in 2008. Outside of the automotive field, he served on various committees and boards throughout Northeast Iowa, at Bethel Presbyterian Church–West Union, on the North Fayette Community Schools Board of Directors, and as a director at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC).

John’s greatest passion, beyond his family, was his love for music. He inherited this great love from his mother, a trained opera singer. He lifted his voice freely in song whenever he could, sharing his beautiful baritone at weddings, musical productions, church services, and gatherings throughout his life. As a member of The Opera Club of The Villages, John was one of a group of musicians who created and helped fund a scholarship program for young musicians. His gift of music enriched his soul as much as it did those in the audience.

John enjoyed sports, reading, and golfing. He and Sally were longtime University of Iowa football season-ticket holders, and they loved tailgating with friends. John developed lasting friendships with Iowa football coaches Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz through his annual support of the University of Iowa Athletics Courtesy Car Program.

Following Sally’s death in 2018, John was blessed to find loving companionship with June Mueller. For more than five years, June and John shared a mutual love of bridge, sports, music, food, and daily activities. Her steadfast support and uplifting spirit brought great joy to John’s life.

Wherever he went, John shared his gift for connection. He was often the last person to leave a restaurant, church service, or game because he wanted to greet everyone he knew, hear their stories, offer encouragement, and make sure they knew they mattered. His legacy will live on in the family he cherished, the communities he strengthened, and the many lives he touched throughout his long and wonderful life.

John is survived by his three children, John R. Falb (Carolyn) of Des Moines, Iowa; Kristan (James) Burkart of The Villages, Florida; and Amy (James) Edwards of Chicago, Illinois; his grandchildren, Isabel Young, Sophie Young, Chad Burkart, and Courtney (Connor) Fraser; his great-grandchildren, Declan and Lily Fraser; his brother, Mark (Cheryl) Falb of Dubuque, Iowa; his companion, June Mueller; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends whom he deeply loved.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally; his parents, Honorine and John; his brother, Richard; and his sister, Kathryn.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, Florida, on August 21, 2026, at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s honor may be made to the New Covenant UMC Music Ministry, 3470 Woodridge Drive, The Villages, FL 32159 or to the Harold S. Schwartz Music Scholarship, Opera Club of The Villages, c/o Bill Doherty, 1425 Martinez Drive, The Villages, FL 32159. Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.