Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
John Boccia Obituary
John’s life began on November 20, 1954, at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg, KS. He was the son of C M and Norvella (Melton) Boccia. John graduated from Columbus Unified Schools in 1973. He was united in marriage to Katherine Johnson on November 8, 1974, at First Baptist Church in Carl Junction, MO. John worked most of his life as a machinist, first in local area shops and then Boeing/Spirit AeroSystems as a research and development machinist until his retirement in 2017. He was a member of the Potwin Christian Church and served on the Elder Board for over 20 years. John was a licensed glider pilot and flew (and crashed) his own ultralight aircraft. In his spare time he enjoyed gunsmithing and firearms as well as making brass miniatures. He was also well known for his sausage-making skills using the old family recipe. Family ties to West Mineral, KS kept John busy as he supported the preservation of Big Brutus (the retired electric shovel on which his father once worked) and was involved in helping to place his grandparents’ old grocery store in West Mineral on the National Register of Historic Places.
John lived for his grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Papa John.” His greatest joy was his family which include his parents C M and Norvella Boccia of Pittsburg, his wife Kathy of Potwin; children Michael (Erin) Boccia of Wichita, Gina Boccia of Elbing and Nathan (Sharla) Boccia of Andover; grandchildren Evelyn, Timothy, Julia, and Nicolas Boccia, Olivia and Breck Wisdom, and Sophia, Talia and Gemma Boccia; siblings Theresa Boccia Barker of Frontenac, Vic (Don Weaver) Boccia of Miamisburg, OH, Vince (Vicki) Boccia of Brentwood, CA, Barb (Mark) Wixon of Fort Worth, TX and Monica (Troy) Taylor of Santa Fe, NM and several nieces and nephews. John passed away on December 23, 2021, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. His family will gather with friends on Saturday January 8, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Potwin Christian Church for his funeral service. He will be laid to rest in Green Valley Cemetery, Furley. Lamb Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorial contributions in John’s name may be directed to Potwin Christian Church. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory at www.yazelmeglifh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
120 S Main St. P.O. Box 358, Whitewater, KS 67154
People and places connected with John
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in John Boccia's name
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Boccia's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
