Johnny Glen Eli, age 89, formerly of Edna KS, passed away on October 25, 2022, at the Presbyterian Manor in Parsons, Kansas.
John was born on January 11, 1933, at the family’s home in Coffeyville, KS to John D. Eli and Thelma L. (Reynolds) Eli. He graduated from Field Kindley High School, and later attended Coffeyville Community College, where he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. During this time, he served as Specialist 3rd class in the 79th engineers, before being honorably discharged in 1955. John met Helen Jean Beal and the couple was united in marriage on January 27, 1957, at the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville, KS. They were blessed with 2 daughters Dana and Zaneta. John then went back to further his education and earned his Bachelors in Sociology and teaching from Pittsburg State University. The couple then moved to Rawlins, Wyoming where he began his teaching career, but the couple later returned to Kansas where he attended Pittsburg State University to earn his Masters in Anthropology. He then taught at Missouri Southern College until moving to Le-Mars, Iowa where John developed a program that allowed technical program students to apply credits earned toward a bachelor’s degree at Westmar University. The family then returned home a short time later for John to become the Adult Coordinator at Northeast Tech in Afton, OK. They eventually settled in Edna, KS where they lived for 38 years. John began working and retired from Funk’s Manufacturing later bought out by John Deere.
John enjoyed from a very young age building model airplanes including remote control airplanes which he entered competitions winning many awards throughout the years. Throughout the years he enjoyed race cars, fishing, hunting, skeet shooting, and their farm where they raised Registered Red Angus cattle. He was an active member of the Methodist Church, a loyal member of Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, and the VFW. He also received his pilot’s license and owned two different planes during his younger years that he greatly enjoyed flying. He lived life to the fullest and always willing to help.
John is survived by his wife Jean, his 2 daughters; Dana Gilpin and her husband Jack; Zaneta Radebaugh and her husband Bill, grandchildren; Jennifer Harp her husband Chris, and Nate Radebaugh and wife Ashley; Bryan Gilpin, Gene Gilpin, and Chris Gilpin, and great-grandchildren Wyatt and Amaia Harp; brother Stan Eli and wife Carol.
He now rests with his parents and stillborn infant daughter Deana Eli.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at Springhill Cemetery North of Coffeyville at 1:00pm with Pastor Lane Roberts officiating. Friends may attend the viewing and sign the register on Monday, October 31, 2022, at David W. Barnes Funeral Home from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of John, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Shriners Hospitals for Children and they may be left with or sent in care of David W Barnes Funeral Home 306 N Cline Rd Coffeyville, KS 67337.
