Submitted by
Louise Willison

John Kromka Jr.

John Kromka Jr., resident of Wellington, Kan., died Thursday, July 6, 2006, at his home. He was 82.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 12, at 11 a.m. at Longwood Cemetery with the Rev. Steven Edwards, pastor of Tree of Life Church in Wichita, Kan., officiating. Burial will be with military honors. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

John was born Aug. 7, 1923, in Denville, N.J., the youngest of seven children of John Kromka Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Motnack Kromka. He grew up on a dairy farm and received his education in New Jersey prior to entering military service. He served in the U.S. Army for four years during World War II. After his discharge, John worked civil service for seven years.

On Jan 4, 1964, he married Margaret A. Willison in Newkirk. They made their home in Wichita, Kan. John worked as an automotive mechanic for most of his life and was employed at Robinson Buick in Wichita for 12 years before retiring in 1971. He and his wife then co-owned Buck Board Antique Shop in Augusta, Kan., until 1979. The couple later moved to the Wellington and Dalton, Kan., area. Margaret preceded him in death in 1995 and he later married Patricia Williams.

John was a past 32nd degree Mason. He enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of the home; son, Lloyd Kromka and wife Kristina J. Kelley of Wellington, Kan.; stepdaughter, Neletah Janet Stoddard of Andover, Kan.; 12 grandchildren, Haden Kromka, Shane Kromka, Allan Elledge, Philip Hackney, Rebecca Smith, Dusty Alan, Marie Stoddard, Darryl Stoddard, Novalee Stoddard Alam, Nisa Stoddard, John Stoddard and Vanessa Vanasdale; 29 great-grandchildren to include, Johnny Stoddard, Danielle Stoddard, Miranda Stoddard, Jason Stoddard, Jessica Stoddard, Joshua Stoddard, Nathan Evans, Holiday Evans, Mathew Fletcher, Dillon Fletcher, India Stoddard, McKenzie Stoddard, and Gavin Stoddard; 26 great, great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Margaret, he was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Anna.

Casket bearers will be Johnny Stoddard, Brian Hauss, Lloyd Kromka, Alan Elledge, Chad Vanasdale, Keith Slack and Nathan Evans.

The family will be at the Kromka home in Wellington to receive friends and relatives.