Obituary of John Kneedler

John Dean Kneedler was born on October 19, 1929, on his mother’s homestead in Kanorado, Kansas. He was born in the beginning of the depression and grew up helping with the farm and going to Plainview school where he graduated from the 8th grade. The family farmed wheat, corn, milo, plus having polled Herefords. Dean was involved with 4-H since he was 10, showing polled Herefords through the catch it calf program in 4-H. After graduating from school he continued to help on the farm and in 1950 was asked to join the Army. He served in the Korean War from June 1950 – July 1953, he did his basic training in Jacksonville, South Carolina. Dean was stationed in Schoenberg, Germany for 2 years and then came home and was part of the reserves for 5 years. His company was attached 18th infantry division, part of the 32nd field artillery. Wayne Winter taught Dean to fly, prior to going into the service. During his flying years, he owned two different Sesena 140’s. One plane he wrecked while hunting coyotes. He was sexton of the Beaver Valley Cemetery. In 1999, Dean and his mother, Esther moved to town after farming for many years. He enjoyed cruising the streets of Burlington and checking out the town in his pickup. Dean always looked forward to pheasant season so he could go hunting. Dean lived in Burlington until his passing at the Grace Manor Nursing Home on Sunday, August 14, 2016. He was 86 years old. He is preceded in death by his parents, Falace Edward and Esther Viola (Christenson) Kneedler, his siblings; Wilda Ilene (Kneedler) Heyse and William Paul Kneedler. We want to thank the staff of Grace Manor and The Legacy for their help with Dean.