John Fredrick Kreiser

John was born on November 16, 1927 to Fred and Esther Kreiser. He spent the first few years of his life in Cincinnati, Ohio. The family then relocated to Kansas City, Kansas to live closer to John’s grandpa John. John’s grandfather lived just down the street from him at 1028 Sandusky. John graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1947. After high school John was drafted into the Army. He served in Linz, Austria (which is KCK’s Sister City). John was an airplane mechanic. His captain was given a new plane when John left. The captain’s plane crashed in the alps and his body was never found.

John started working on cars at his neighborhood gas station when he was six years old. His neighbor gave him a crescent wrench as a present. If anyone had a hood up his nose was under it.

John met the love of his life (Dorothy Kreiser fka Dorothy VanVleck) when he was sixteen and she was fourteen. He saw her roller skating at the Jayhawk Roller Rink on the corner of 13th and State. John told his parents he was going to marry her, before he had even met. He took roller skating lessons when she was not at the rink for several months before approaching her. John and Dorothy were married on May 7, 1948. John and Dorothy danced beautifully on skates until they were in their 60s.

John was a devoted provider. He worked two jobs for most of his life. He carried on the railroading legacy of his father Fred and his Grandfather John. John worked as a switchman at night for the Burlington (from 6 pm - 6 am) four nights a week. John’s nickname on the railroad was Ambition.

John also repaired cars at home at 1039 Sandusky before starting his own shop (Kreiser Auto Service) on 13th Street in Kansas City, KS. Dorothy joined the shop as the Manager in 1975. They tried to keep the shop up to date on technology and added a diagnostic lane in the 1980s.

John loved fishing, and traveled up to visit his best friend Victor in Winnipeg Canada several times a year into his 80s when his friend Victor died. John was very close to Dorothy’s family, and Dorothy’s brother Kelly VanVleck visited every summer and often accompanied John to Canada for fishing.

John had several antique cars over the years, including a ‘27 and ‘34 Chrysler, a rumble seat 1931 model A, and a blue convertible. John and Dorothy did parades for several years with the Antique Car Club.

John also loved to travel. John and Dorothy traveled all over the world on cruises. Some of their favorites were to the Panama Canal; Alaska with Dorothy’s siblings; and Capri, Italy. John and Dorothy took their children and grandchildren on vacations to Yellowstone National Park and to Europe.

John joined the masons as soon as he was old enough. He was a member of the Wyandotte County Blue Lodge until he died. He received several recognition pins over the year, including his 50th, 60th, and 75th pins.

John always had a positive attitude and was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. John is survived by his wife Dorothy, his daughters Cynthia Bounds and Lil Carlon (son-in-law Gil Carlon); granddaughters Angela Madathil (grandson in law Joshy Madathil), Kelli Doolin (grandson in law James Doolin), and Lexi Carlon; great-grandchildren Kamryn Kelly, Rose Madathil, Ethan Madathil, and Eli Frie.

John’s life will be celebrated on Friday January 10th, with a Masonic ceremony and visitation starting at 9 am at Floral Hills Funeral Home (7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64133) off Gregory Blvd and Blue Ridge Blvd. The service will start at 10 am. John will be buried at Floral Hills Cemetery.

Gifts in his honor may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital (https://lovetotherescue.org/, Shriner’s Children’s, Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394).