John A. Wiedeman

John Albert Wiedeman, age 89, departed this life on Monday, August 3rd, 2015 after a lengthy battle with Dementia. Visitation will be at The Church of the Nativity, 119th and Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas on Saturday, August 8th from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM, with mass immediately following at 11:00 AM.

John was born on June 19th, 1926 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. John was the oldest of four children, born to Walter (Wally) Wiedeman and Alice (Meme) Schweiger Wiedeman. His brother Theodore (Ted) and his sister Mary Alice Rogler survive him. His youngest sister Anne Wiedeman preceded him in death on May 2nd, 2015.

John’s wife of 63 years, Sylvia “Dainty” Small Wiedeman survives him, as do his seven children: Kathleen (Tom) Busch, Walter (Colleen) Wiedeman, Mary Ann Waeckerle, John (Kelly) Wiedeman, Susan (Vince) Coultis, Gretchen (John) O’Neill and William (Christy) Wiedeman.

John was blessed with 23 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren.

John graduated from Rockhurst High School then attended Rockhurst College before he enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17, where he served as a radio-specialist on a PBY aircraft from 1944 to 1946. Following his service in the Navy, he attended the University of Kansas, graduating with a degree in Journalism.

When his father, Wally retired, John became President of the family business, Reeves-Wiedeman Supply Company. John then retired from the family business in 1994.

John served as President of the Serra Club of Kansas City, Kansas, the Kansas City Vanguard Club, the Johnson County Rose Society and also as National President of the North American Heating and Air Conditioning Wholesalers Association.

Upon his retirement from Reeves-Wiedeman Company, John played many-a-round of golf with new and cherished acquaintances. Eleven yearly golf outings ensued, to Perdido Bay, Florida and Green Valley, Arizona.

A founding member of the Church of the Nativity, John was a daily Communicate and an active member of the Men of Nativity.

The family expresses their deepest gratitude and praise to their sister, daughter Mary Ann Waeckerle, for her dedicated, loving care of her father in his final years.

John will be interred in the family plot on his maternal Grandfather’s farmland-now known as Resurrection Cemetery, deeded to the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas by his Uncle “Bub” Schweiger.

Also, greatly appreciated were the caregivers from Interim Home Health, the Respite Volunteers of the Church of the Nativity and the wonderful medical group from Catholic Community Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Catholic Community Hospice, 9720 W, 87th Street, Overland Park, Kansas, 66212, or the Mother Teresa Foundation, located at No 9, 10 & 11 MS Nagar Madhakottai Road, R.S. College (post), Thanjavur 613005 India. E-mail: [email protected]