John H. Wells, 79, of Meriden, passed away Friday, March 8, 2019 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. 

John was born September 17, 1939 in Topeka, the youngest of 11 children of Edward D. and Edyth Irene (Marsh) Wells. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, enlisting in 1958, he was stationed at Army posts in Ft. Leonardwood, MO, Ft. Lewis, WA, and Ft. Knox, KY. He served 22 months in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1961. He then worked for the  Goodyear Tire Company in Topeka, 32 years, retiring in 1992. He was a lifetime member of Meriden V.F.W. Post #10815 and a member of United Rubber Worker’s Local Union.

John’s retirement years were occupied with his love for working on his land, cutting down trees, burning brush, fishing in his ponds and “tinkering” in his barn and garage. John loved to garden in the summertime and often planted more tomatoes than anyone could ever use. He also enjoyed taking Verla to the casinos and bragging to his kids and grand-kids about how much he won and what he was going to buy. John was a great husband, a loving father and enjoyed spending time with his grand-kids. He had a daily routine of going to the coffee shop in Meriden early in the morning to have coffee with his long time friends. You could always find him telling tall tales and arguing politics.

John married Verla A. Hodges on April 20, 1963 in Topeka, she survives at  home. He also survived by one son, Ken (Patty) Wells, Meriden, one daughter, Teresa (Jay) Waller, Lee’s Summit, MO, one brother, Robert “Red” (Charlotte) Wells, Meriden, four grandchildren, Samantha Waller, Jon Waller, Jessica Wells, Jerod Wells, and two great-grandchildren, Justice Waller and Cass Waller. He was preceded in death by his parents, and nine older siblings.

A Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Tuesday at the Funeral Home. Burial will be at Meriden Cemetery. Memorials suggested to Meriden V.F.W. Post #10815 in care of the Funeral home, P.O. Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS, 66066.  www.barnettfamilyfh.com