John Henry Wilson

John Henry Wilson, age 81 of Wellsville, Kansas passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at his home with family by his side. A memorial visitation will be held 3-5PM, Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Wilson’s Funeral Home in Wellsville.

John Henry Wilson was born November 28, 1944 in Jefferson City, Missouri, the son of Clifton C. and Alberta A. (Woody) Wilson. He grew up around Hartville, Missouri as a child. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Labette, Kansas where he went to school, learned to be a mechanic, fished the Neosho River and ended up graduating and earning his Auto Mechanic and Shop courses from Labette County Community High School, (a trade school), on May 24, 1962. As a child, John worked and helped on his family’s farm to help provide for his family. As he got older, he loved working on cars and hanging out with his old high school buddies. Also, while in Labette, he met and fell in love with his future wife. On January 14, 1965, John married Judith Ann Schultz in a small church in the little town of Labette. They were married almost 60 years before her passing June 25, 2024.

John worked for Hercules, Inc., also known as Sunflower Ammunition Plant in powder production from 1966-1971. From there, he went to work for Mid-Continent Homes until 1975, then returning to Hercules as the lead handyman from 1975-1996. He retired from Sunflower Ammunition Plant in 1996. Along the way, John made many long-time friendships and locked talking about his job until the day he passed.

John loved fishing and arrowhead hunting. He would tinker with any small motor or gadget that came to his hands. He was known around throughout his small community of Wellsville as “The Lawnmower Man”. His most beloved and cherished time was spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren once they were born. He loved his great-grandchildren more than anything on this planet.

John is survived by his daughters: Rhonda Messmer of Wellsville and Micki Aguirre (Troy) of Ottawa; son, Brian of Connecticut; sister, Jewell Correll of Galesburg, KS; grandchildren: Arianna and Luke of Wellsville; Daegan and Jaden of Wichita; John Tyler and Stacey of Ottawa; Lee of Wellsville; Great-Grandchildren: Piper, Brystal, Everly, Adrian, Joey and Matthew; and one great great-grandson, Landyn.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother: JC, Harold and Irvin; sisters: Emma, Anna, Vernie and Doris; son, Shawn and a great-granddaughter, Arianna.

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