BURLINGTON, VT — John Earl “Jade” Edwards, Jr., 55, died Feb. 12, 2024, at his home in Burlington, Vt. He was born Jan. 25, 1969, in Pratt, the son of John Earl Sr. and Connie Lee (Hacker) Edwards. He lived in Nebraska as a child, attended school in St. John and Macksville 1979-1985, then moved to Oregon. He later lived in Missouri, then moved to Vermont. He married Carrie Jungclaus in Aug. 1996, in Missouri. They divorced in 2010. He worked at various jobs including chemical biological specialist in the National Guard, welding, massage therapy, and survivalist consultant.

John is survived by his mother of St. John; a sister, Sally Edwards of South Hutchinson; a brother, Ben Edwards of Lawrence; other siblings, Michael and Joseph Hathaway both of St. John; J.T., Valerie, and Sonya all of Nebraska, Scott of Kansas, and George; four nieces, Dana, Kristi, Alyssa, and Josephine; one nephew, Lucas; one great-niece, Aela; dear friends, Sharon Lassiter of Burlington, and her son Nate of Wilmington, NY; and his beloved Maine Coon, Jasper. He was preceded in death by his father in 2012; his grandparents, Orris C. and Lela Mae Brown, Jack Hacker, and Sibyl Irene (Smith) Hacker; foster mother, Jane (Smith) Hathaway; and stepmother, Cynthia Edwards.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m., March 2 at Minnis Chapel, St. John, with Rev. Ray Davidson officiating. The body was cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in care of Guare & Sons, Barber & Lanier Funeral Home, 30 School St., Montpelier, VT 05602, to help defray the family’s funeral expenses.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 17, 2024