John A. Kantner Jr.

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

THESE 2 DAYS WILL BE THE TOUGHEST.... jUST KNOW THERE IS PLENTY OF US PRAYING FOR YOU. IN REMEMBRANCE WE LITE A CANDEL.

SANDRA & JOHN...DEEPEST SYMPATHY.. FEEL LIKE WE ALL KNOW EACH OTHER THRU RITA SUE LESTER. MEMORIES ARE TREASURES THAT TIME CANNOT DESTROY. WE ARE SURE YOU HAVE MANY. UNTIL YOU ALL MEET AGAIN ON HEAVENS BRIGHT GOLDEN SHORES, KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CARE AND YOUR LITTLE ANGEL WILL ALWAYS BE THERE!!!

My condolences to the Kantner Family. Big John... I was a sophomore when he was a senior (high school) and played football with him. Instead of acting better than us lowly underclassmen, he always treated us with respect. I tried to apply that lesson in my own life. You'll be missed, John.

Dear John & Sandy: We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Hold onto the wonderful memories you have which will give you comfort in the days ahead. God Bless you and your entire family in this time of loss.

john was like a brother to me and to all kantners i love and hold you all close to my hearts im so sorry for your lose

The Alexandria Wrestling community is deeply saddened by John’s passing and would like to extend its condolences to Christi, John & Sandra, Robert, Frank and Anna.

John was a great advocate of wrestling and brought a great sense of pride to the mat. His time in the sport, from participation to officiating to coaching was greatly appreciated and did not go unnoticed.

John had an interest in helping and advancing Alex’s wrestling youth before going off to college. He gave back to the sport of wrestling and helped coach in club practice.

John was the kind of guy who always had your back. And as we all know, he was a scholar. I will never forget the laughable time when we coaches were making introductions of club wrestlers at the beginning of the season. When it came time to introduce each of the kids to each other, I introduced a young kid from Orestes named Jesus Cordova. With a year of Spanish under my belt, I stupidly mispronounced “Jesus” pronouncing it as the biblical version? John leaned over in my ear and said “that would be HEH-soos”, providing me with the correct Spanish pronunciation. After practice, we both had a good laugh.

John’s time coaching the youth here in Alex paid big dividends for this young kid from Orestes named Jesus Cordova. Jesus was a big physical kid and was the club’s heavy weight. Jesus required heavy weight training to become more successful. John was the perfect match to help this young kid with heavy weight technique. John and Jesus worked each club practice together and John and I would travel to weekend tournaments coaching the different kids. At the close of the season, John took Jesus Cordova down to Indianapolis on a Saturday to wrestle in the ISWA Freestyle State Tournament. This was the biggest wrestling tournament venue available for a kid in those days. Jesus wrestled the best in Indiana at that tournament with John at his side coaching him. When the following Monday practice came, Jesus and John walked into practice together. Jesus had a big gold medal around his neck and a grin on his face to match it. Jesus became the state heavy weight champion that weekend. John had a proud gleam in his eye when we announced Jesus’ accomplishments in the state tournament series. The fact was, Jesus could have never made that weekend happen if it weren't for John's good work.

John was an amazing individual. John was a caring, friendly person who had great tenacity that served him well throughout his life. John will be greatly missed.

Mark E. Walker & Alexandria Wrestling

So sorry to hear about your loss.

Spanish club member with John. Cheered Football and remember him as a Funny Gentle Giant. Big John Kantner God Bless All and Peace be with Him now.
Lisa Deines Smith Class of '84

John was the love of my life and my best friend. He constantly made me laugh and brought a lot of joy into our lives. We were married for 14 years and together for nearly 18 years. I still remember walking along the White River in Muncie on the night he proposed-I was giddy with excitement and surprise! Cujo always knew how to have fun with friends and family. He was proud of his football and wrestling accomplishments in high school and college. He fondly reminisced of his days with his Sigma Nu brothers at Rose Hulman. We always had so much fun together. Cujo was an avid sports fan and enjoyed attending the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Purdue Boilermakers, and Notre Dame Irish games when he could. He made everyone around him feel special. As my grandfather got older, John talked with him about history and politics. My grandfather really enjoyed him, but John has that affect on many people. John had charisma! He was also my calculator, who solved large mathematical numbers in a split second before anyone could type the question on a calculator. He was so smart, so athletic, so funny, and so young. He will remain forever in my heart, as he goes home to God.

Sandy, John and family,
We are so very sorry to learn of your loss. We both thought highly of John. You are in our prayers.

Sandy,John and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sandy, Am so sorry to read of the loss of your son. My deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family.

John, Sandy, Robert Frank & Anna;

I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. May John rest in peace and know that all of your family are in our prayers.

anna marie, i'm so sorry to here about your brother. do you remember when my dad, tony pruitt used to take you two to st. marys in the morning? sincerely,tim pruitt.

I am so sorry to hear about John. Your are all such a close family and my heart goes out to you all! You will be in my prayers.

John & Sandy,

I am so sorry to read of the loss of your son.
You have my deepest sympathy at this very difficult time.

Phil Hexamer

You will always live in our hearts and prayers.

My deepest sympathy goes out to your family. John-John was so much fun. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and shared it freely with everyone around him. He was a talented athlete and a brilliant student. He will be missed terribly. He is now in the palm of God's gentle hand. Rest in peace, dear cousin.