John Edward Bohlken

He died June 11, 2024 in Lebanon, MO at the age of 84.

John is survived by his wife, Judith McGuire Bohlken, his son, Jeff Bohlken and wife Stacy, daughter Julie and husband Darrin Kahler, four grand children, Tyller Torrez, Taryn Bohlken, Chris Monte Wessley and wife Krissie, Matthew Wessley and wife Lara and nine great grandchildren; Sarah and Amara Torrez, Karl, Cortez, Jackson, Emerie and Addison Wessley, Isabella and Leah Wessley. He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Margaret Bohlken of Parkville Missouri.

John was born in Kansas City Missouri. He married Judith Ann McGuire in 1960. They have lived in Independence, Blue Springs, Climax Springs, and Lebanon Missouri. After John retired they had moved to Pharr, Texas and lived for 20 plus years. It was in 2022 that they moved back to Missouri.

John was employed with Southwestern Bell telephone at the age of 17 as a lineman and continued up the ladder with the company. John and Judy spent their time camping and fishing at Lake Jacomo, Pomona Lake, John Redmond Dam and Reservoir, Melvern Lake and Lake of the Ozarks in which they purchased property for their later years of retirement. While employed, they traveled on the weekend to the Lake of the Ozarks to fish and spend time with family and friends.

John retired in 1991 from Southwestern Bell Telephone as a Maintenance Engineer. He was 51. They became what are called snowbirds traveling to Texas during the winter and returning during the summer. They had many friends in Texas and participated in many activities.

When their daughter, Julie moved to the lake, they took a couple years off from traveling. John and Judy donated their time, money and efforts to better the local school through the Booster Club, they created a nature trail for the Climax Springs School and among many other things, they helped raise enough money to build a new playground for the school.

Johns was an avid fisherman, constantly fishing whether alone, with his wife and/or in tournaments by himself or with a friend, he loved the sport. John hosted many fish fry's over the years.

In high school John played the saxophone and later the keyboard very well. It was today that his friend said she was out in the yard and she heard an organ playing and immediately looked towards John’s old house window where he kept his keyboard. She mentioned that often he would be playing while she was gardening. She had requested he entertain in her restaurant for the patrons, but he only played for enjoyment.

He enjoyed carving wood. John created an array of objects, like working pliers, a model of his Ranger Bass Boat, a duck, a bird, a cowboy, walking sticks and a 21 link chain without any break. He built a large doll house and filled it with hand carved furniture.

He was clever with words, wrote a few stories, poems and loved telling jokes. He was a great, loving, honest man and he will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 15, 2024 at 1:00 at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KC, MO (basically Raytown) and a service will immediately follow from 2:00-3:00 pm.