John Thomas Wickersham

John Thomas Wickersham, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on February 25, 2023, of renal failure.

John was born August 16, 1936, in Salina, to Howard J. Wickersham, and Mary (Bell) Wickersham.

John started his education journey by graduating from Salina High School and then attending Kansas Wesleyan University. He then went on to become a graduate of the first OCS class at Nickel Barracks. Later, John graduated from and taught at the Apprenticeship Electrician School in Salina.

John wore many hats; He was a 1st Lieutenant in the Kansas National Guard, a firefighter, a Farmer, an Electrician, an Electrical Contractor, and a troubleshooter for Brown construction, Shearers, APAC, and Ashland Corp.

In addition to his work, John kept busy by being a member of the University United Methodist Church, and he cherished his time as a Scoutmaster for Troop 5, and as a leader in 4-H and FFA. He taught himself to build and use radio sets, and because of his interest in photography, even taught himself how to use antique cameras.

John was a smart man, and his smartest decision was to marry W. LaDeene Wickersham, on September 21, 1958. He was a loving and loyal husband to LaDeene for 64 wonderful years.

John is preceded in death by his parents, his wonderful wife, LaDeene, sisters, Dorothy Jennerson, Julia Teske, Betty Almquist, Libby Ann Priddy, and brother, Howard J. Wickersham.

He is survived by his two sons, Patrick Wickersham, and Bradford E. Wickersham, both of Wichita. His sister Mary Jane Chapel, of Lee’s Summit, and granddaughter, Hunter B. Elliot (Donald Jacob) of South Haven.

A graveside service at will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 1 p.m., at Highland Cemetery, north of New Cambria.

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