John F. Rempel

December 31, 1931 – December 16, 2022

Age 90

John F. Rempel transitioned to his eternal home in time for Christmas on Friday, December 16, 2022, in North Newton, Kansas.

He was born December 31, 1931, in rural Meade, Kansas, the fourth of 13 children born to George J. and Marie L. (Friesen) Rempel.

John grew up on a farm southeast of Meade, where he became skilled at auto mechanics while working alongside his father in the machine shop. He attended Meade Bible Academy through the eighth grade. John was baptized as a young man and was a charter member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Meade.

John met the love of his life while custom-cutting wheat in Enid, Oklahoma. John married Phyllis Grunau on April 12, 1957. The newlyweds made their home in Enid for a few years before moving to Meade. Four sons completed their family: Michael, Ronald, Darren and Brian.

John loved anything mechanical, and in the early 1960s, he opened Rempel's Auto Repair in Meade, which he owned and operated for more than 30 years. John was driven by a strong work ethic, and it's been said he could get more work done by noon than a lot of people could all day.

A family man, John enjoyed traveling with Phyllis and the boys. Their adventures took them from the east coast to the west and from Niagara Falls to El Paso. John used his passion for photography to document the family's travels with his camera, providing treasured snapshots and memories.

John never knew a stranger, and his winsome way meant he could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. John also loved music and sang with the Mennonite Men's Chorus for more than 30 years.

After he sold the shop, John took his mechanics skills to Hume Lake Christian Camps in Hume, California, where he and Phyllis served on staff until moving back to Meade. Their travels continued later in life when John and Phyllis loaded their RV to serve with Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service (RVICS).

In 2004, John and Phyllis moved to a duplex at Kidron-Bethel Village in North Newton, Kansas. They joined Koerner Heights Church in Newton. John kept busy working at a mechanics shop in Newton until he was in his 80s, often biking to work from their home in North Newton.

A leader by example, John possessed a quiet strength and determination, which continued even as he faced health challenges without complaint.

John had a heart attack in 2020, and he and Phyllis moved into an assisted living apartment at Kidron-Bethel. A bout with RSV landed John in the hospital in early November 2022, and he transitioned to heaven on December 16, 2022, just a few weeks shy of his 91 ^st birthday.

John was preceded in death by his parents, George J. and Marie Rempel; four brothers: Herman, Pete, Eldon and Donald Rempel; and two sisters: Erma Kauffman and Helen Day.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of North Newton; four sons: Mike (Jamie) Rempel of Meade, Ron (Diane) Rempel of Enid, Darren (Sherry) Rempel of Hillsboro, Kansas, and Brian (Amy) Rempel of Overland Park, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Grant (Chelsea) Rempel of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Janae Rempel of Hillsboro, Stuart (Jhosy) Rempel of Nederland, Texas, Kaitlyn Rempel of Hillsboro, Kylie (John) McCullough of Wichita, Kansas, Daniel Rempel of Meade, and Max Rempel of Overland Park; two great-grandchildren: Brooks and Gracie Rempel; three brothers: Will, Edwin and Walter Rempel and three sisters: Margaret Reimer, Marilyn Harms and Eileen Kaufman.

John displayed a soft-spoken love, and this legacy continues in the lives of those left to cherish his memory. John's faith in Jesus guided his life, and we cling to this same faith even as we say our earthly "see you laters" to our loving husband, dad and grandpa.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Koerner Heights Church, 320 N. Meridian Road, Newton, Kansas. The service will be live-streamed on the Koerner Heights Facebook page. Memorials may be made to Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, Kansas. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Meade, Kansas.