John Franklin Edwards

John (Jones) Franklin Edwards, of Wellington Kansas, passed away peacefully at Ascension Via Christi St Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas following a battle with cancer at the age of 83.

John was born the son of John Forrest Edwards and Helen B Friend on January 30, 1942 in Wellington, Kansas.

John grew up in Cisero, Kansas attending country school, and graduated from Wellington High School in 1960. He was drafted into the United States Army, where he served two years, receiving honorable discharge in 1962.

Following his service years, John enjoyed hunting and fishing with several of his life long friends. On May 21, 1986 he married Virginia Lee (Karlin) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They enjoyed flying to Las Vegas, including bus trips to South Dakota and Tunica, Mississippi.

John worked as a machinist for several aircraft companies in Wichita, Kansas with the majority of his career at Boeing Aircraft company. He retired in 2004. and in 2005 moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma near Kaw City with Virginia to enjoy the lake life in retirement. They enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

John was a lifetime member of the American Legion and in his later years, John enjoyed volunteering at the McCord Senior Center, helping to unload food supplies from the food bank truck. He also enjoyed going to the casinos and to the garage sales to find a bargain.

John was a man of quiet strength and unwavering resilience. He believed in tough love, showing care through lessons that built character rather than words alone. His hands bore the marks of a lifetime of hard work, whether in the fields, the yard, or his beloved garage where he was always repairing, tinkering, and bringing things back to life. The outdoors was his refuge, where he felt most at ease, grounded by the simplicity of fresh air and honest labor. John met life head-on, never shying from a challenge, and in doing so, he left behind a model of grit, endurance, and authenticity for those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Virginia Edwards of Ponca City Oklahoma; son, David Edwards of Wellington, KS; step daughter Cheri (Stan) Hartman of Wichita, KS; step son Doug McCracken of Wichita, KS; sister Mary Ann Hennig of Wellington, KS; grandchildren Megan Hartman, Brant (Holly) McCracken, Matthew (Vivian) Hartman, Shay Brown, Mason Hartman, Jessica Caudillo, Miles Hartman, Great Grandchildren: Croix Garcia, Kingsly McCracken, Sloane McCracken, Dayton Brown, Gauge Brown, Abigail Brown, Law Hartman, Rush Hartman, Vincent Caudillo, and Valeya Caudillo along with numerous other family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John Forrest and Helen Edwards; brothers Duane Edwards, Jack Edwards, and Gary Edwards.

Graveside services for John will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Wellington, Kansas.

Memorial contributions can be given in his memory to the McCord Senior Citizens Center, 115 E. Mary Rd., Ponca City, OK 74604. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

Share a memory, leave condolences or sign his digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, Kansas.