Obituary for John Joseph Dick Jr.
John Joseph Dick Jr., age 75, of Battlefield, MO, entered into eternal rest on March 21, 2024 at the age of 75. He was a beloved father, grandfather and brother who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
The second of two children, John Jr. was born in Dodge City, KS on February 9, 1949 to John Joseph Dick, Sr. and Charlotte (May) Dick. John Jr. remained close with his older sister, Charlotte Mary, who affectionately called him Johnny, until his passing.
John Jr. spent his early years on a farm in Minneola, KS and often reminisced about the older, simpler days of farm life. Johnny and Mary enjoyed playing outside and bicycling on country roads. He grew up milking cows and playing with his dog and cat. John Sr. taught his children the value of hard work and observing the sabbath. Sunday Mass was followed with fishing, driving to visit family and friends or cruising the country roads together, a habit John Jr. found soothing throughout his life. In 1955, the family moved from their farm in Minneola to Dodge City, where Johnny and Mary attended Sacred Heart Catholic School.
During his summers off from Dodge City High School, John Jr. worked at Boot Hill Museum where his first job was to drive a stagecoach pulled by mules. It was said there were so many ‘John’s working on the property that he was referred to as ’Big John’. He was also known to pick up the tongues of the stagecoach and pull it by himself! He participated in the Old West Show, a western reenactment where he rode a horse and participated in shootouts.
John Jr. graduated from high school in 1967 and continued to work at Boot Hill. During this time, John Jr. and his cousin Kenny embarked on a multi-state, two-month road trip though the western United States. They drove from Washington down the California coastal highway making stops at the Grand Canyon and other National Parks. He often talked about this trip which was planned without computers or cell phones but did include calls back home to assure his mother they were ok.
John Jr. graduated from Fort Hays State College (now University) in 1973 with a Bachelor of Accountancy. When he was ready to permanently ‘get out of Dodge’ he moved to Kansas City, KS to be near his sister who was living in Shawnee, KS. He began his banking career with Beneficial Finance as an Assistant Loan Manager. It was in Kansas City where he met Sandra Puent, whom he married in Wichita, KS in 1976. Working in the banking industry moved them to Quincy, IL where they had four children, Christopher, Jennifer, Lindsey and Amanda, during their 20-year union. In 1989, banking moved them one final time to Springfield, MO where John Jr. fell in love with the Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake, frequently spending his time outdoors.
John Jr. was an avid hunter and enjoyed deer, quail and pheasant hunting. He extensively fished and was known to have multiple rods, reels and lures for any type of fishing. While his daughters were not known to bait their own hooks, they still enjoyed the process of casting and watching their bobbers for that possible ‘big catch’. He shared his love of the great outdoors during his time as Assistant Cubmaster of Pack 235 and Den Leader for his son’s den with the Boy Scouts of America. They both loved camping trips and enjoyed their time at Camp Arrowhead. John Jr. was also in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and volunteered as a Hunting and Shooting Instructor with the Missouri Conservation Department.
John Jr. had many accomplishments during his life but would rather brag on the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and sister before talking about himself. He enjoyed sharing the news of his family to anyone and everyone. John Jr. valued all his relationships, treating his friends like family and truly never knowing a stranger. His vast knowledge of his family history was unmatched. He could remember not only his current family tree but traced it back many generations with knowledge of homesteads and occupations.
John Jr. was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Springfield, MO from 1989 – 2015 and was actively involved in the Beginning Experiences and Singles Reaching Out Groups following his divorce in 1996. He made many friends and spoke fondly of their trips including one to Florida where he parasailed for the first time. He later joined St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Springfield, MO where he attended the Seas Seniors’ Group. He prioritized his time at the church and talked fondly of the Senior Mass, meals on Fridays and the fish fries during Lent.
John Jr. is preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his son Christopher (Kira) Dick of Boliver, MO, daughters Jennifer (Douglas) Schatzer, Lindsey (Matthew) McLaughlin and Amanda (Jeramy) Rosenstengel who all reside in the Springfield area; grandchildren Brody, Caleb, Abigail and Cassian Dick, Warren and Silas Schatzer, Elijah and Lucas McLaughlin and Aubriana and Journie Rosenstengel. Johnny is also survived by his sister Mary (Wayne) Keutzer of Creighton, MO and Mary’s children Thomas (Elizabeth) Gudenkauf, Connie (Ralph) Wheeler, Kay (Matthew) Murray and Teresa (Steven) Duncan.
Visitation will be held from 10-11am Thursday, April 4, 2024 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2200 W. Republic Road in Springfield. John's Funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 11:00am, with Father Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial will follow at Danforth Cemetery in Strafford, MO. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home of Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Missouri Conservation Department or Boy Scouts of America, Ozark Trails Council.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
The second of two children, John Jr. was born in Dodge City, KS on February 9, 1949 to John Joseph Dick, Sr. and Charlotte (May) Dick. John Jr. remained close with his older sister, Charlotte Mary, who affectionately called him Johnny, until his passing.
John Jr. spent his early years on a farm in Minneola, KS and often reminisced about the older, simpler days of farm life. Johnny and Mary enjoyed playing outside and bicycling on country roads. He grew up milking cows and playing with his dog and cat. John Sr. taught his children the value of hard work and observing the sabbath. Sunday Mass was followed with fishing, driving to visit family and friends or cruising the country roads together, a habit John Jr. found soothing throughout his life. In 1955, the family moved from their farm in Minneola to Dodge City, where Johnny and Mary attended Sacred Heart Catholic School.
During his summers off from Dodge City High School, John Jr. worked at Boot Hill Museum where his first job was to drive a stagecoach pulled by mules. It was said there were so many ‘John’s working on the property that he was referred to as ’Big John’. He was also known to pick up the tongues of the stagecoach and pull it by himself! He participated in the Old West Show, a western reenactment where he rode a horse and participated in shootouts.
John Jr. graduated from high school in 1967 and continued to work at Boot Hill. During this time, John Jr. and his cousin Kenny embarked on a multi-state, two-month road trip though the western United States. They drove from Washington down the California coastal highway making stops at the Grand Canyon and other National Parks. He often talked about this trip which was planned without computers or cell phones but did include calls back home to assure his mother they were ok.
John Jr. graduated from Fort Hays State College (now University) in 1973 with a Bachelor of Accountancy. When he was ready to permanently ‘get out of Dodge’ he moved to Kansas City, KS to be near his sister who was living in Shawnee, KS. He began his banking career with Beneficial Finance as an Assistant Loan Manager. It was in Kansas City where he met Sandra Puent, whom he married in Wichita, KS in 1976. Working in the banking industry moved them to Quincy, IL where they had four children, Christopher, Jennifer, Lindsey and Amanda, during their 20-year union. In 1989, banking moved them one final time to Springfield, MO where John Jr. fell in love with the Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake, frequently spending his time outdoors.
John Jr. was an avid hunter and enjoyed deer, quail and pheasant hunting. He extensively fished and was known to have multiple rods, reels and lures for any type of fishing. While his daughters were not known to bait their own hooks, they still enjoyed the process of casting and watching their bobbers for that possible ‘big catch’. He shared his love of the great outdoors during his time as Assistant Cubmaster of Pack 235 and Den Leader for his son’s den with the Boy Scouts of America. They both loved camping trips and enjoyed their time at Camp Arrowhead. John Jr. was also in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and volunteered as a Hunting and Shooting Instructor with the Missouri Conservation Department.
John Jr. had many accomplishments during his life but would rather brag on the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and sister before talking about himself. He enjoyed sharing the news of his family to anyone and everyone. John Jr. valued all his relationships, treating his friends like family and truly never knowing a stranger. His vast knowledge of his family history was unmatched. He could remember not only his current family tree but traced it back many generations with knowledge of homesteads and occupations.
John Jr. was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Springfield, MO from 1989 – 2015 and was actively involved in the Beginning Experiences and Singles Reaching Out Groups following his divorce in 1996. He made many friends and spoke fondly of their trips including one to Florida where he parasailed for the first time. He later joined St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Springfield, MO where he attended the Seas Seniors’ Group. He prioritized his time at the church and talked fondly of the Senior Mass, meals on Fridays and the fish fries during Lent.
John Jr. is preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his son Christopher (Kira) Dick of Boliver, MO, daughters Jennifer (Douglas) Schatzer, Lindsey (Matthew) McLaughlin and Amanda (Jeramy) Rosenstengel who all reside in the Springfield area; grandchildren Brody, Caleb, Abigail and Cassian Dick, Warren and Silas Schatzer, Elijah and Lucas McLaughlin and Aubriana and Journie Rosenstengel. Johnny is also survived by his sister Mary (Wayne) Keutzer of Creighton, MO and Mary’s children Thomas (Elizabeth) Gudenkauf, Connie (Ralph) Wheeler, Kay (Matthew) Murray and Teresa (Steven) Duncan.
Visitation will be held from 10-11am Thursday, April 4, 2024 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2200 W. Republic Road in Springfield. John's Funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 11:00am, with Father Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial will follow at Danforth Cemetery in Strafford, MO. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home of Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Missouri Conservation Department or Boy Scouts of America, Ozark Trails Council.
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.