John W. Kehler, 81, of Holton, died Friday, June 16, 2006 at the Holton Hospital.
He was born August 24, 1924 north of Holton, the son of E.J. and Alice K. Mesnard Kehler. John was a lifelong resident of Holton. He graduated from Holton High School in 1942. He was a farmer and a rancher for over 50 years.
He was involved in many ranching associations, the American Angus Assoc., Northeast Kansas Jr. Angus Assoc., Kansas Livestock Assoc., and the American Quarter Horse Assoc.
John was a member of Farm Bureau and was recognized in 1970 as Farm Bureau Leader of the Year. He was a community leader for Lucky Stars 4-H Club for over 25 years.
John was very active in the Evangel United Methodist Church where he was a member since 1949. Other organizations he has been involved with are the Jackson Farmers Coop as a director for many years, the rural water district board, the Jackson County Nursing Home board, Lions Club, and Masons.
He married Audrey Abele on May 1, 1948 in Holton, she died April 6, 1985. He later married Lorene Haber on March 22, 1986 in Holton. She survives. Other survivors include 2 daughters Mary Maxwell and her husband Larry of Colby, Joyce Kehler of Burlingame; 3 step-sons Chuck Haber and his wife Karen of Kansas City, MO, David Haber and his wife Laura of Littleton, CO. Donald Haber and his wife Connie of Jamaica Plains, MA; a sister Kathryn Arnold-Weckman of Holton; a brother Max Kehler of Topeka; 3 grandchildren Amanda Gardiner and her husband Garth, Katie Eteeyan, Bailey Maxwell; 6 step grandchildren Erin Gubbins and her husband Jason, Camille Haber, Danielle Haber, Kara Haber, Kevin Haber and Adrian Haber; 4 great-grandchildren Greysen, Gage, and Grace Gardiner and Christopher Eteeyan and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister Bernice Owings and a brother Robert Kehler.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at the Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton. Burial will be in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Evangel United Methodist Church or the Jackson County 4-H Program.