CLAFLIN — John Louis Herter, 85, passed away September 7, 2020, at Ellinwood District Hospital after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was born June 20, 1935, in Ellinwood, the son of Louis and Mildred (Sinnott) Herter.
He was a 1953 graduate of Ellinwood High School. He served in the United States Army from 1957 – 1959. After returning home he attended Diesel Mechanic Tech School in St. Louis, Missouri. He worked as a mechanic a short while before opening his own business Herter Implement & Auto in Claflin, Kansas.
John met his one true love, Carol Doll and they were united in marriage on November 28, 1963. John was a founding member of the Claflin Fire Department and was the Assistant Fire Chief and served as an EMT for many years. He was also a member of the SRCA, and he enjoyed drag racing for many years.
John was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1500, and the V.F.W., all of Claflin.
He was a devoted father, and made sure to attend all of his children’s activities and also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s many events. John enjoyed farming for most of his adult life. He cherished sharing his knowledge of cultivating the land with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include: his wife of the home Carol; one daughter, Penny (Taber) Stephenson of Olathe; two sons; Brad (Amy) of Dodge City, and Don (Stefanie) of Great Bend; six siblings, James (Pat) Herter of McPherson, Jerry (Susan) Herter of Pocatello, Idaho, Howard (Mary) Herter of Ellinwood, Barbara Herter, Richard (Vickie) Herter, all of Wichita, and Helen (Stuart) Nickelson of Seattle, Washington; six grandchildren: Tanner Stephenson of Sabetha, Derek (Brooke) Stephenson of Liberty, Missouri, Michaela (Curtis) Toews of Whitewater, Rachael (Wyatt) Haberman of Dodge City, Johnathan Herter of Dodge City, Alyssa Herter of Great Bend, and one great-grandchild Emma Lynn due October, 2020.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the church with Rosary, led by the Knights of Columbus to begin at 7 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2020, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Claflin, celebrated by Father Terrance Klein. Burial will follow in Lakin-Commanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood, with military honors conducted by the United States Army Fort Riley Honor Guard.
Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Hospital Foundation in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home,
PO Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 9, 2020
