John LaVern Wheaton was born February 25, 1933 to LaVern "Casey" Wheaton & Francis (Johnson) Wheaton in Phillips County, Kansas, and he passed away December 12, 2016 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Smith Center, Kansas at the age of 83.

On August 30, 1952, he was united in marriage to Norma Elaine Wildrix of Stockton, Kansas. To this union five children were born: Judy, Johnny Lee, Penny, and twins who died in infancy. His wife, Norma, passed away on December 16, 1976.

John married Jeanie (Montey) Dugan on December 2, 1977 in Phillipsburg, Kansas.

John grew up, attended school, and lived his lifetime in Phillips County. He was a career farmer who loved working the land. He was self-taught in the art of sandcasting, which he did for many years during the winter. John & Jeanie operated a janitorial service for almost 30 years and did truck gardening for 26 years. They also loved to go digging together for Kansas Black Snake Root to sell to drug companies.

In his spare time John enjoyed reading and studying history and he enjoyed telling stories about years past. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed wildlife and nature except for the rabbits in his garden! He loved spoiling his pets, especially the small dogs that he always had at his side during his lifetime. He leaves his fox terrier, Riley, who was his companion & friend for 11 years.

John's faith and his church were very important to him and he was always actively involved in the church's activities. He was a wonderful father, stepfather, husband and friend who will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Norma; daughters, Penny, and infant twins; sister, Patty Pumphrey & husband, Lewis; brother-in-law, David Dunning; and sister-in-law, Geneva Hawkins.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanie, of the home; daughter, Judy Kruse & husband, Don, of Kearney, NE; son, Johnny Lee of Wisconsin; stepdaughter, Marlene Dugan, of Phillipsburg, KS; stepson, Robert Dugan, of Kansas City, MO; sister Karen Dunning of Phillipsburg; sister Carolyn Jones of Glade, KS; aunt Beryl Johnson, also of Glade; sister & brothers-in-law: Judy & Jerry Everett of Smith Center, KS, Betty & Andrew Cardinal of New Jersey, Paul Montey of Montana, and Calvin & Verdena Montey of Nebraska; five grandchildren and several nieces & nephews and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2016 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday & Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Services, Inc. or the Phillipsburg City Library.