John P. Silkiner

The world became a less interesting place on Monday, November 14, 2022 when John Silkiner passed away at his home in Leawood, Kansas. John was born on June 22, 1936 to Max and Louise Silkiner in Kansas City, Missouri. He had three brothers and one sister all of whom preceded him in death. He was married to his wife Doris on June 1, 1957 and the two were together until her death in 2001. John and Doris had three sons: Jeff (Mary), Paul (Stacy), and Todd. John was also a proud grandparent to his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He met Rebekah Stambaugh and they were married on September 4, 2004. She was with him at his passing.

After his graduation from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, John became a successful stock broker, beginning his career at B. C. Christopher. He never lost his love for investing nor his touch for making lucrative investments. In his spare time, John was an avid hunter and golfer. He loved his German shorthair hunting dogs, the last of whom was named Vanna. He also received a “Hole-In-One Award” from Hillcrest Country Club for that feat from the 11th Hole at 148 yards on July 29, 1994.

John was a fighter who overcame childhood Polio, the death of his brother Guy in World War II, back to back open heart surgeries, and hip replacement. He was opinionated, kind, wickedly funny, and unabashedly politically-incorrect. He quietly and generously helped others and never met a stranger. Doctors, caregivers, and bartenders in the restaurants he and his wife loved to frequent have all expressed sadness at his passing.

John was a lover of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas Jayhawks, old movies, animals, and most of all his family. He could be a curmudgeon or an optimist, but he was never boring and almost always the life of the party with a special ability to make people laugh.

John is survived by his wife Rebekah Silkiner and her two daughters, Brenda (Larry) and Susan (Cecil), and many good friends including one who supported him in his final months, his dear and loyal friend Jim Bradshaw (Judith), and his aforementioned sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He will never be forgotten by the many, many people who were privileged to know and love him.