John was born on August 16, 1919, on the family farm near Brooklyn, Iowa, to Henry and Mary Stevens Van Otegham. He was raised on the family farm and attended rural school. Following his education he assisted his father with the farm operation. During World War II he served with the United States Army in the Pacific Theatre. On October 10, 1949, he was married to Bernadine Herman in Harper, Iowa. The couple operated a grain and livestock farm near Victor. He was a member of St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Victor, the Victor American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife, Bernadine Van Otegham of Victor; his children, Mary Ann Hohnecker of Dubuque, Lucy Melvin of DeWitt, Marcy Van Otegham of Muscatine, Chuck Van Otegham of Victor, Jim Van Otegham of Victor, Judy Walsh of Manhattan, IL and Tony Van Otegham of Victor; and five sisters, Hilda Van De Voorde, Madalene Wauters and Marie DeMeyer, all of Belle Plaine, Helen Wauters of Victor, and Henrietta Malloy of Oxford. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Elaine; one brother, Harry; and one sister, Clara Anderson. Memorials may be directed to the Victor Fire Department, the Victor American Legion, St. Bridget's Catholic Church or to the Knights of Columbus.