MEADE – John E. Cordes, age 80, died Saturday afternoon, December 26, 2009, at the Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas.

He was born January 28, 1929, at the family farm south of Meade, the son of Barthold H. and Pauline M. (Eckhoff) Cordes. John graduated from Meade High School in 1947. He later attended Dodge City Community College receiving his Associates degree. Upon the completion of his education, he joined the United States Army, serving during the Korean War.

On September 6, 1953, he married Loraine Meierdierks in Meade. To this union, three children were born. John worked for the Meade Cooperative Elevator and Supply Company for thirty-eight years. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Meade. John also served on many boards and civic organizations, including, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Graceland Cemetery District, American Legion, Lutheran Laymans League, and the St. John Lutheran Church Council.

John is survived by:
His wife, Loraine Cordes of Meade, Kansas

Two sons, Terry Cordes and wife, Cheree, of Meade, Kansas
their children, Jayde, Whitney, & Gunner

Morris Cordes, and wife, Sharon, of Sugarland, Texas
their children, Ryan & Danielle

A daughter, Joyce Schultz and husband, Ted, of Hutchinson, Kansas
their two sons, Tyler & Todd

A sister, Opal Dirks of Overland Park, Kansas

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Arthur Cordes in 1944 and Chester Cordes in 2005; and a sister, Christina Wurdeman, in 2003.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2009, at St. John Lutheran Church, Meade, with the Reverend Lynn E. Spencer presiding. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will follow in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade.

The family would welcome memorials to the St. John Lutheran Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home.