John William Burchfield

John William Burchfield, 76, of Olathe, passed away February 9th, 2014 after a long battle with lung cancer. John was born on March 28, 1937 to Graydon and Cleo Burchfield in Mexico, Missouri. He spent most of his younger years in Benton City and Mexico, Missouri. John attended Kirksville College and eventually went on to a career in finance/mortgage working at B.I.C., Avco, Associates, and retiring from GreenTree Financial Services in the mid 90’s. His financial management career led him and his family to live in several Midwest cities – Mexico, MO, Cape Girardeau, MO, Carrollton, MO, Marshall, MO, Blue Springs, MO, Burnsville, MN, and Olathe, KS. He met Joann in 9th grade at the Mexico roller rink, and they “skated” through 53 years of marriage.

John, Joann, and his daughters have enjoyed many years at the family lake cabin, originally purchased by his parents in 1962. With his sister’s cabin right next door, the extended family has created many summer memories together.

John was an avid golfer and handyman. He could often be seen on his tractor with a grandchild in tow. With his Dick Van Dyke and Bill Cosby personality, John loved singing and joking with the grandchildren, playing dolls and giving his granddaughters unwanted dating advice. He thoroughly enjoyed sports and could frequently be heard pounding on his footstool and cheering on his favorite teams.

John is preceded in death by his brother-in-law and good friend, Leslie Whalen, his nephews, Bryan Oser and Warren Burchfield, his niece, Charelle Rodenbaugh-Sellers, his parents, Graydon and Cleo Burchfield, and Joann’s parents, George and Marie Oser.

John will always be remembered as a fun father, water ski instructor, and driver’s ed instructor for his children (not a job he or his children loved), an easy-to-laugh husband, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle.

John leaves behind a legacy of laughter, camaraderie, sassiness, and a brown leather Lazy Boy chair. Surviving family members not allowed to sit in his chair include his wife, Joann, his sister, Mary Anne Whalen, his brother, Harold Burchfield, four daughters, Penny Burchfield-Tilbury, Christy Fischer (David), Kathy Chase (Greg), and Amy Hayes (Kent), eight grandchildren, Dana Lentz (Justin), Patrick Fischer, Jackie Fischer, Samantha Chase, Megan Chase, Brad Chase, Ian Hayes, Logan Hayes, and one great grandchild, Hendrix Lentz. In addition, he is survived by a posse of golf buddies.

The family would like to thank his many caring doctors and nurses at Olathe Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, and Research Medical Center and his hospice care providers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 14, 2014 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 900 S. Honeysuckle Drive, Olathe, Kansas. Burial in St. Brendan’s Catholic Cemetery in Mexico, Missouri. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the McGilley & Frye Funeral Home, 105 E. Loula Street, Olathe, Kansas. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m.to start the visitation. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to the St. Paul’s Catholic Church (Olathe, KS), Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care at kchospice.org, and the Olathe Medical Center. Condolences may be offered at www.mcgilley-frye.com