John Robert Kongs, 92, of Topeka, Kansas formerly of Seneca, Kansas died on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

John was born in Sabetha on February 20, 1926, to John Henry and Jean R. Karnes Kongs. John was raised in Seneca community; attending Seneca Public School, he graduated in 1944.

On July 13, 1944 he was drafted into the United States Army. He joined in Ft Leavenworth, Kansas and was assigned to the 7th Engineers Battalion, John was stationed at Ardennes Rhineland in Central Europe. He received the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the European Theater Ribbon with three Battle Stars. He was discharged as a Corporal on April 25, 1946. After he returned to the United States, he enrolled and earned a degree from Kansas University, graduating in 1951.

On August 13, 1949 John married Gladys M. Hunninghake at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.

John was employed by General Motors, first working working at the Lead Plant in Kansas City; before being transferred to General Motors Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  John’s General Motors career ended in Kansas City and he retired in 1973, for health reasons.

John and Gladys moved back to Seneca and helped his mother operate the Seneca Theater, which had been in the family since 1920, when it was know as the Royal Theater. In 1991, John and Gladys sold the theater to Ray Hunninghake and retired.

On August 13, 2009, Gladys and John moved to Topeka to be closer to their daughter, Laura.
John enjoyed movies and sports, playing Bridge, and singing, he was in the church choir at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.

John was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Earl W. Taylor Post #21, Knights of Columbus.

John is survived by his wife, Gladys of 69 years; two daughters, Janet (Andy) Hickman of Bellaire, Michigan and Laura (Phyllis Sanderholm) of Topeka; two granddaughters; and 3 great-granddaughters.

A rosary will be prayed at 2 P.M. on Monday afternoon, October 29, 2018 at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Baileyville.

Memorials are for the Veterans Wall in Seneca and or the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery sent in care of the family.