JOHN WILLARD BIRCHLER

John Willard Birchler passed away peacefully with his wife at his side, at his Prairie Village home, December 21, 2009, after a long battle with cancer. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, Kan., where John converted to Catholicism in 1953 and remained a parishioner for 56 years. The burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8321 Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kan. In lieu of flowers, his wife requests donations be made in memory of John Willard Birchler to Sisters Servants of Mary, 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS 66102. John was born November 12, 1918, in Coulterville, Ill., to Fred and Exzellia Birchler. John was the oldest of five and was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie Ann Birchler; three brothers, Lester, Vernon, and Homer, and his parents, Fred and Exzellia Birchler. At the age of 3, John and his family moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he and his brothers grew up. In 1940, at the age of 22, John moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he was employed as chief of drafting, Design Branch, Engineering Division, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. On May 14, 1942, John enlisted in the 13th Air Force, 812th AAF Base Unit and served his tour of duty at Guadalcanal in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, where his primary duty was that of topographer. John's citations were American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal, one Service Stripe, one Overseas Bar, Good Conduct Medal Army Regulation 600-68 45, World War II Victory Campaign Medal, Circular 326 WD 45. On November 29, 1945, John received an honorable discharge from the Army Air Force Base Unit, Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina, with the rank of staff sergeant. After his discharge, John returned to Kansas City, Mo., where he resumed his position with the Army Corps of Engineers until his retirement on July 2, 1976. John is survived by his wife, Olivia, his youngest brother, Charles Birchler and his wife Jane of St. Louis, Mo.; a nephew, Don Birchler and his family of Prairie Village, Kan., and two nieces, Sue Middlecamp and Michelle Horrell of St. Louis, Mo. John was known by all as a kind, caring, courteous man who personified the "gentle" in gentleman. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by his wife, Olivia, his family, friends and all who knew him.