Skip to content

Dougherty Funeral Home Duluth Obit: John McAllister

John Reynolds McAllister passed away on December 22, 2025. John was born September 10, 1928 to Walter Leo McAllister and Mabel Louise (Nelson) McAllister in Duluth, MN.

He is best remembered for his faith in God, co-founding St. John’s Free Lutheran Church in 1984. Prior to that, his career was as an English teacher and a guidance counselor – in Duluth and in Manitowoc, WI.

John’s greatest joy was spending time with his wife, Louise, and family. As an avid fisherman, John shared his daily catches with family and friends. His fondness for the outdoors continued making sure bluebirds had houses and monarch butterflies had an ample supply of milkweed.

He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen (John) Borge of Dent, MN; Mary (Joel) Wilson of Lakeville, MN; five grandchildren, Hannah, Amanda, Emily, Jacob and Molly; and three great-grandchildren, Amelia, Charlie and Bennett.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Marie; daughter Patricia Marie; two brothers, and his parents.

Funeral Service: St. John’s Free Lutheran Church, 3601 W Arrowhead Rd, Duluth. Monday, January 12, 2026, 11:00am. Visitation one hour before service.

Private family burial at Park Hill Cemetery.

Comments

Latest

Howie: Forsman won't run for mayor in '27

Howie's daily column is powered by Lyric Kitchen Bar in Downtown Duluth. Arik Forsman on running for mayor of Duluth in 2027: "I am humbled ... that there are Duluthians who think I could make a half-decent mayor. But I have no plans to run for the seat

Members Public
Howie: Bayfront still may be Duluth’s best idea
The Whipper Snapper races are held during Grandma's Marathon weekend every year. Howie / HowieHanson.com

Howie: Bayfront still may be Duluth’s best idea

Bayfront remains one of the few places where the city still functions the way a healthy city is supposed to function: as a shared public space where people continue gathering together because they genuinely want to be there. Every summer, Duluth remembers that again.

Members Public

Howie: While others talked revival, Gary Doty did the work

Survival, for many old industrial American cities during the late twentieth century, became the central challenge itself. Doty helped Duluth survive long enough to rediscover confidence in itself again. That is not a minor civic legacy.

Members Public
Howie: Minnesota’s political civil war weekend

Howie: Minnesota’s political civil war weekend

The emotional political truth in Minnesota: The DFL fears permanently losing working-class and regional voters. Republicans fear nominating candidates who thrill activists but collapse in the suburbs. Both fears are real.

Members Public