This son of Ernest Emerson Horner and Ruth Louise Stuemky was born in the beautiful, humble town of Friend, NE on Sept., 23, 1938. Brother to 4 at his birth and 5 yet to come, John grew up on a farm that would shape him to eventually write the book, Oil or Water, (Only One is Good to the Last Drop).
His interest in all things educational and academic spurred his father to encourage him in this bend.
He went on to college[s], (Yale being only one), and graduated with a double major in history and political science. He then continued, further, towards his own father's dream, too, of being a minister of the Gospel and nearly finished his seminary degree from St. Paul's School of Theology in KC, MO.
However, on one of his preaching rounds in Carroll, NE, he met his bride, Judy Kay Stephens, and became her husband on June 20, 1965. 🤗 They settled into their first apt in the inner city of KC, MO, but in 1968 they moved to their Lee's Summit home where they worshipped at L.S. United Methodist.
Their marriage covered 4 decades, 2 miscarriages, 6 children's births, and 35 years at Yellow Freight System in order to support and provide for Judy and his family in every way he could. His interests included newspaper every night, puzzles, cards, word and board games with his children, bowling leagues with his wife, Sunday School for fellowship times, vacations and agate collecting with his grandchildren, and he's also been a member of the local Kiwanis chapter to better serve the community in any extended way he could.
He was preceded in death by his parents, (above), his wife in 2006, his brothers Robert and Neal Horner, Neal's wife, Barb, his daughters- in- love, Misty Michelle (Mansfield) Horner and Amy Louise Payton,
his great niece, Ginny Hoback, and his grandchildren as follows: Keilah Louise Horner, Andrew William Nield, Sidney Kay Horner, John Lake Horner.
His family is great and wide who has received his love... with even more family in friends, neighbors, and church circle of life. But we are delighted that he is ceased from any sufferings and so mightily proud that he crossed his finish line so well.💕
Survivors, (besides many nieces, nephews, and grands), include his siblings:
Roy Horner, (wife, Helen); Paul Horner, (wife, Ida); Erma Sebek, (husband, Dave); Ann Hoback, (husband, Ron); Dorcas West, (husband, Paul); Grace Thomsen, (husband, Vernon); Terri Horner, (wife to Robert); And Mary Jo Sabata.
His children:
Wendi Lou (Horner) Nield and husband, Michael Nield, their 12 daughters, 4 sons in love, and 6 grandchildren; John Daniel Horner, 2 of his sons, 2 of his daughters, and Karen Tadych, also, mother of 3 of these; Aaron Wayne Horner, (Fiancée Lysa Gann); Heather Kay (Horner) Nitz and husband, Ward Nitz, their 3 daughters, 3 sons in love, and 1 granddaughter; Caleb Lee Horner; and
Amber Dawn (Horner) Leathers and husband, Mike Leathers, and their 8 sons and 2 daughters.
We want to thank you each for coming to celebrate our dad!
A special gratitude to Barbara Holmberg, (a 35+ years longtime friend), for doing his flowers, Hannah Hindman, (granddaughter), for overseeing venue decor, Chris Hines, (grandson in love), for media presentation, and Aldersgate Methodist Church, our dad's home church for 20+ years, for hosting our family in this time of need and rejoicing.
Blessings to you each!!💕💕💕
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