John L. Mace

John Leslie Mace, age 69, of Richmond, Kansas, passed away following a brief illness on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born on March 26, 1945, in Tempe, Arizona, the first of four children born to Leslie and Lila (Husted) Mace. His family moved to Colony, Kansas when John was an infant. He grew up in the Welda area, attending grade school there, graduating from Welda High School in 1963. Following high school he worked as a truck driver on the construction of the Norton Dam, Norton, Kansas. While working there John was paralyzed in an accident on June 22, 1964. In 1965 he attended drafting school in Wichita. Following his first year of school John returned home for an operation. He then chose not to return to school so he could farm with his family. In 1980 he and his brother Jerry started Mace Brother's Repair in Welda. John retired from the shop in 2001 due to health reasons. He remained involved in the family farming operation doing the "office" work when his health restricted his outside activities. Despite the physical limitations in his later years, John was always quick to help Mary with kitchen and garden activities as well as repair anything that could be brought to him. John was united in marriage to Mary (Brownrigg) Wilson on June 10, 1989, in Garnett, Kansas. Mary had two sons and John delighted in the grandchildren that he was eventually graced with. John nicknamed nearly all of his family, friends and neighbors. His easy smile that he shared with everyone will be missed by all. John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Mary Mace, of the home; step-sons Steve Wilson of Lawrence, Kansas and Tony Wilson of Garnett, Kansas; four grandchildren, Brenna Wilson, Heather Wilson, Brandon Wilson and Britney Wilson; one great grandchild, Mayleigh Wilson; sister, Rita Dixon and husband Ralph of Humboldt, Kansas; brothers, Jerry Mace of Colony, Kansas, Larry Mace and wife Jean of Madison, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Welda Cemetery. Family will greet friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home in Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .