John Calvin Rettburg, 90, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on February 11, 2026, at the Gordon Hospice House. He was born on April 3, 1935, in Altoona, Pa., to the late John Albert Rettburg and Cleo Walker Rettburg.

John was kind-hearted, had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. He enjoyed antique cars, football, camping, fishing, traveling, especially to Branson, Missouri, and antiquing. He was also a hard worker. He served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and went on to work as a crane operator in the steel industry.

John was married to Mary K. Rettburg for 48 years until her passing on April 25, 2020. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his sons, John Rettburg, Daniel Rettburg, and Timothy Kraft; as well as his brothers, Caire O’Neil Rettburg and David Earl Rettburg.

He is survived by his daughters, Kimberley Halsey of Chesapeake, Va.; Alice Engstrom (Lee) of Statesville; Sally Smircich of Titusville, Fla.; and Karen Merchen (Gregg) of Vilas. He is also survived by his brother, Kenneth G. Rettburg (Terry) of Altoona, Pa.; his sister, Doris Auman; grandson, Joel Bennett (Tiffany); granddaughters, Danielle Halsey, Taylor Halsey, and Erin Halsey; and 14 nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home on Friday, February 13, 2026, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The funeral service, with military honors, will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. A private interment will take place at Salisbury National Cemetery at a later date.

Donations may be made in John’s memory to Hospice of Iredell County by mail to 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or online at https://www.hoic.org/

Words of comfort and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Rettburg and his family.