Obituary: Koehn, John: Harvey County Genealogical Database

John Koehn 93, Newton John Koehn, 93, died on Wednesday (Feb. 23, 2011) at his residence in Newton.

He was born on Dec. 26, 1917, in Dubois, Idaho, the son of Cornelious C. and Agnes Goertz Koehn. When he was 2 years old, his parents moved back to Goessel, where John attended a country grade school.

On July 8, 1941, John was sent to Camp Grant, Ill., where he was sworn into the U.S. Army. There he had his basic training, then he went to Tucson, Ariz., and then on to Fort McDonald, Calif., where he boarded a ship on Dec. 5, 1941, and headed for Hawaii. While he was at sea, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor so their ship turned around and came back to San Francisco on Dec. 8, 1941.

Other places John was stationed were Fort McDow., Wash., and Fort Lewis, Wash.; from there, he was sent to Tacoma, Wash., where he boarded a ship for Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where he served 27 months. On June 3 and 4, Dutch Harbor was bombed. After that he went to Denver, Fort Sam, Houston, and finally to Chickasha, Okla., where he finished his term of duty after four years, two months and 28 days.

That's when he met Clarrie Ellen Hill. They were married on Sept. 1, 1945, in Oklahoma City by the Rev. R.H. Delaney.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, John worked in Chickasha for a year in Civil Service at Borden General Hospital. When the hospital closed, he and Ellen moved to Newton where he worked at the Unruh Service Station and Feed Mill, many years for Mobile Press Wood and four years at the Newton Public Golf Course.

John was a longtime member of Newton Bible Church and the American Legion, and through the years also has been an avid bowler and member of Newton Saddle Club.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen of the home; one son, Donald Koehn of Sedgwick; three daughters, Geraldine "Jerry" Lambert and husband, Bob, of Oklahoma City, Lola Huntley and husband, Mike, and Bertha Koehn, all of Newton; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Frank Koehn of Newton and Irvin Koehn of Blaine, Wash.; and two sisters, Nellie Esau of Newton and Martha Penner of Emporia.

John was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Delbert Tim Koehn; one great-granddaughter; four brothers, Jacob, Cornie, George and Edward; and one sister, Margaret Revell.

Friends may call at the funeral home from noon to 9 p.m. Monday, where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Newton Bible Church. Interment will be in Restlawn Gardens of Memory near Newton.

A memorial has been established with Newton Bible Church and Hospice Care of Kansas. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E.

Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.

Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton.