John Dean Zion

John Dean Zion, 55, passed away October 9th, 2021, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the funeral service at noon on Friday, October 15, at Liberty United Methodist Church (Sunset Campus). Burial will follow at Terrace Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) – Global Ministries or charity of choice, as John would have suggested.

The name “John” means “graced by God”, “Dean” means “from the valley”, and “Zion” means “the heavenly city/the kingdom of heaven”. John found the Biblical importance of his names extremely sentimental. His passion was to share Jesus’ love to everyone his life touched.

John was born on Groundhog’s Day February 2nd, 1966, in Kansas City at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was raised by his parents Marvin Lee and Mary Estelle (Mortimeyer) Falke. He especially recalled many fond memories with his grandparents Wendell K. and Frances M. (Davis) Mortimeyer. His childhood stories consisted of things such as fishing trips with the men of the family, sitting in the car in the driveway during rainstorms with his grandpa listening to the baseball game on the radio, and even one time when he almost fell off a cliff while hiking with his youth group. John was afraid of heights for the rest of his life.

John met the love of his life, Regina Renee Ratajczyk Zion, while they were both working at a Sears department store. After he flirted his way into convincing his fashion major crush to look past his “elderly” attire, they started officially dating on July 21st, 1990. After learning of Regina’s near-death childhood cancer battle, he told the story throughout his life about a dream he had when he was a child around the years when Regina was receiving her treatment. John lived near the hospital she was coincidentally receiving treatment at - he recalled walking into a hospital room and seeing a girl his age with brunette hair and learning that she had cancer. He did not recall much else from the dream, but he therefore believed that this was God revealing his soulmate to him. They wrote each other many love letters that are kept to this day, John kept journals about their courtship and newlywed years, and gave her not just one but multiple cards for each holiday and special event. This doting love continued throughout their 29 years of marriage. Every chance he got he would bring a rose home to Regina – there was rarely a time that there was not one in a vase in the house. He even created an Instagram account entirely dedicated to talking about his wife and their marriage (@forloveofawoman). Their Christian faith was the foundation of their marriage and they walked strongly through life hand-in-hand.

John was blessed with two children whom he adored, Mallery Elese Zion (23) and Drake Spencer Zion (16). We referred to our father as Papa. Papa told us how our importance in his life helped him feel the depth of the meaning of God giving his only begotten Son. Papa always enthusiastically said yes to every opportunity, big or small, to spend quality time with both Drake and I. He wrote lullabies for us, consistently documented our life, kept every drawing and piece of writing we gave him, and consistently gave us his time, day and night, even if he was exhausted. He came to every sports game and every concert. He would have us sign our autograph on every concert program and saved them all. He made Christmas festivities elaborate and taught us the true meaning. He stopped and enjoyed every detail of nature with us. He was a large 6’2” man who would drop down to the ground to pet every puppy he could. He always adored every puppy we have had in the household. Autumn and Cricket (our current Border Collies) miss him dearly, and especially all the scraps he tossed them.

Papa used to speak of how he understood why people raised their hands and arms up when worshiping Jesus, especially through music – it is symbolic that they are reaching up so our father above could pick up us, his children, and hold us so that we could feel that ultimate love and eternal comfort. He so looked forward to that and I know that is how he was welcomed into heaven.

We did get to tell him we loved him on the phone before he was sedated and put on the ventilator, because of how badly his COVID case progressed. We were blessed to be able to visit and say goodbye to Papa by wearing all the required PPE at the hospital. We were able to hold his hand and feel his face. I told him he would have been such a good grandpa and we will tell our future kids about him and teach them what he taught us. I am so grateful that he did get to spend time with my soon to be husband, Matt Mazza, and his loving family. He was taken off the ventilator a couple of hours after we left the hospital, due to regulations, and passed quickly and peacefully with compassionate nurses holding his hands.

John prayed over every single person he ever encountered. He prayed for all of those who encountered his loved ones. He prayed for everyone across the globe, even those who may oppose him. If you are reading this, you were prayed for by John Dean Zion, a humble man of God.

Degrees: Electricity & Electronics Technology BS (CMSU) & multiple Associate Degrees (MCC)

Career: Johnson Controls (formally ADT Security, then Tyco) – 29 years – Senior System Engineer

Military service: United States Air Force Reserve – 10 years – Staff Sergeant – worked on A-10 “Warthog” Thunderbolt II aircraft

John was preceded in death by his father Marvin Falke; his brothers Tom and Basil Falke; his father-in-law Anthony Ratajczyk; and brother-in-law Rocky Ratajczyk.

John is survived by his wife of 29 years Regina; daughter Mallery (fiancé Matthew Mazza); son Drake; mother Mary; mother-in-law Rosemarie Gravino Ratajczyk Beeler; sister Alyson Zion; brothers Tim Falke and Anthony Zion.

Pallbearers: Matthew Mazza, Peter Carruthers, Nick Bonacorso, and Tyler Ratajczyk.

Many thanks to North Kansas City Hospital nurses and doctors for their compassionate and determined care during John’s final days.