John Ornelas

John Ornelas, 85, of Chanute, Kansas, died Monday, July 2, 2012, at his home. John was born June 16, 1927, at Bassett, Kansas the son of Joe and Juanita (Medina) Ornelas. He grew up in the Bassett and Iola area, attended Iola schools and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He operated a Mobil station at Lincoln and State Street in Iola and started a Harley Davidson Motorcycle Shop which became his brother Frank's Harley Davidson in Iola. On September 30, 1970, John married Ana Nuno. He worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Torrance, California before he retired at age 57. They moved to Humboldt in 1984 and then to Chanute in 1991. He enjoyed gardening, watching Nascar and tinkering in the garage. Survivors include his wife Ana of the home, two children, Joe Ornelas of Lane, KS and Elizabeth Donnelly of Iola, KS, and four children, Juanita Seto of CA, Joanne Jackson of AK, Janice Deken of AZ and Jody Guilford of KS from a previous marriage, three siblings, Reuben Ornelas of Texas, David Ornelas of Wichita, KS and Mary Ornelas of Kansas City, KS, 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son John Ornelas, Jr., a grandson Reuben Deken, 4 brothers Joe Jr., Frank, Nacho and Nello Ornelas and 2 sisters Carmen Ornelas and Ofelia Dolores (Dee) Cannon. Cremation has taken place. VISITATION: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012, at Highland Cemetery in Iola. Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .