John McAlister

John McAlister, 71, of St. Cloud, formerly of Clinton, died on April 20, 2017.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Thursday, April 27, at 10:30 AM. His family will be receiving friends and relatives at 9:30 AM at the church. Interment with military honors will be at the Clinton Cemetery.

John Paul McAlister was born at Holy Trinity Hospital, Graceville, on December 06, 1945. John was a hard working and humble man that loved his family, his faith, his country and his community. He was a lifelong resident and was very involved with the community throughout his life, always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He served in the National Guard and was a member of American Legion Post 258 in Clinton. He was a member of Holy Rosary Church and Knights of Columbus. He served on the Big Stone County Fair Board as well as many other civic organizations. He enjoyed car racing, gardening, playing cards, old machinery, horses, companion animals, and spending time with his children and grandkids. John passed away on April 20, 2017 at the St. Cloud Veteran Home, where he has resided for the past year.

Thank You to the St. Cloud Veterans Home and staff for the excellent care that he received during his stay with you. We deeply appreciate the loving care you gave him. Thanks also to Toni Brown, Lutheran Social Service, for all of your assistance and attention to John and his needs. Too often, your difficult responsibilities go un-noticed. You all are truly "Angels in Disguise"!

John is survived by his children and grandchildren; Stacie (John) Peterson and Cynthia; Matthew (Guisi) McAlister and Martin and Arianna; Jodell McAlister and Daithen, Daffney, Isaiah and Ryan; Jill (Mike) Hyden and Tazzmin and Tayten (twins) and soon to be born baby boy; and Julie (Paul) Wyatt and Aaron, Lacy and Jett. He is also survived by his mother and step-father Agnes and Harold Nelson of Clinton; and by seven siblings: Karen Christenson, Maurice (Janet) McAlister, Judy Wohlers, Sherry Johnson, Debby Murphy, Maureen (Tim) Dwenger, and Alan (Brenda) McAlister; 22 nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by his grandparents: Sigurd B. and Anna Simonson and John and Edith Mae McAlister, his father, Paul McAlister, his sister, DeAnn Nagamitsu, his grandson, Landon; and also brother in-laws, Tom Nagamitsu and Dan Wohlers.