John J. Brychta

John J. Brychta,76, of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away on September 10, 2025.
He was born on March 21, 1949, in Marysville, Kansas. He attended Hanover High School where he graduated in 1967.
John served in the US Army from 1968-1970 where he served in the Vietnam War. He was a member of National Dusters, Quad & Searchlights Associations, and attended annual meetings.
He spent close to 50 years in the floor covering business and worked at KSU doing furniture upholstery and repair.
He spent the last 43 years living at Lake Elbo enjoying lake life. He had several different boats while living at the lake and could be found with a rod and reel casting off the dock he built in his back yard.
John spent lots of time working on and around his home. There was always a plentiful garden and a manicured lawn. As well as several rock walls he built around the property.
His pride and joy was restoring his 1969 Camaro. He bought it after he returned from Vietnam and sold it after 5 years only to find the old car 30 years later. He spent several years bringing his car back to life and into showroom condition.
He had a passion for classic rock music, especially Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Eagles, and Tom Petty. He enjoyed attending their concerts. He liked to travel in their RV spending winters going south to Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Mexico.
John also enjoyed spending time with his loved ones.
He is survived by his wife, Rita, his children, Josh Brychta and Ali Ross and son-in-law Bryan Ross; his grandchildren, Dakota and Easton Ross; his stepchildren, Chad Cecil, Ty Cecil, and daughter-in-law Paige Hayes; siblings David Brychta and Annette Kelch.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Anne Brychta, and his sister, Judy Dollins.
Graveside inurnment will be held at 11:00a.m. Friday October 17, 2025, at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Fort Riley in Manhattan.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00p.m. Friday October 17, 2025, at the Lake Elbo Clubhouse in Manhattan.
Memorial contributions in memory of John are suggested the Lake Elbo Club. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com