John Alberhasky Sr.
Age: 91. The founder, with his wife, Erma, of John’s Grocery, now a four-generation business and last of dozens of family-operated neighborhood groceries in Iowa City, patronized by many now for its huge beer and wine selections. Just back from Naval duty and tending bar for a brother in 1948, he was offered the troubled grocery for $1,500. Wife and mother of seven, Erma saw Central Junior High kids buying candy for lunch and decided to offer a nickel ham sandwich and potato salad as an alternative. Brothers Don and Bernie Alberhasky were Market Street business owners, too.