John T. Luhmann

Our brother and uncle, John, has now been gone for 10 years. That seems impossible. It feels like it was just yesterday that he was juggling for the kids, telling a joke, or going off on another pool tournament.
John, your legacy is that everyone liked you, respected you, and looked up to you. You are never forgotten because you are larger than life.
We thank you for your generosity. Your gifts to your family have produced great accomplishments for them.
You live on through us. Please intercede for another family member who is ill.
But gosh, I sure wish we could sit around the table and drink some Hi-C.

In memory of my brother, now 9 years after your passing: The lesson I have experienced is one that is repeated over and over. "You don't truly appreciate what you have until you lose it." With each passing year, I miss you more. I crave your companionship, your dry sense of humor, and your interactions with your nieces and nephews. Our family was blessed to have you, but we have been deprived of so much of what you still could have shared. Thank you for being a man we were proud to know. May God allow you the reward of eternal salvation. You are always loved and remembered, my brother.

So here we are in 0° temperatures experiencing the eighth anniversary of your death, John. It was not that cold 8 years ago, when you realized you were not going to make it and you were admitted to De Greeff Hospice House. How honored you were to be spending your final hours in the Enterprise sponsored room at that facility. Your brother and sister, Paul and Sally, were able to find the perfect spot for our family to send you to your eternal reward. None of us wanted to say goodbye. But we knew that you had fought with every ounce of your strength. We knew that your body was not able to withstand anymore. And so we all said goodbye to you on this Earth. Mark, Paul, Sally, myself, our spouses and your nieces and nephews honored you during your last days. But oh how we miss you now!
You are forever loved and prayed for.
(And we think you've been playing with one of your great-nieces. What a great Great-Uncle you are!)

And now we are 7 years since I lost my dear brother. John, I was so blessed to have you in my life. I am so grateful to have known you. All of your siblings have kept you alive in our memories. My 6 children (your nieces and nephews) speak about you to me often. They have many fond and loving memories of their uncle who loved them, played with them, teased with them.
You lived your life in appreciation. I follow that lesson of yours to the best of my ability. It has assisted me through many tough situations.
Once again, thank you for the gifts you continue to provide to all of us.
We love you forever.

In peace he rests.
Gone is his pain.
He is the best.
Heaven is his gain.

St. Joseph Catholic Parish Cemetery
199 Creve Coeur Ave.
Manchester, MO 63011

Here are just a few of the mementos of my dear brother John.

To friends and family of my brother John Thomas Luhmann:
This month marks five years since we've lost John on January 16th, 2016. Time has gone by, so much has happened in the world, and yet I still feel his presence.
John, your beloved nieces and nephews are making you proud. They are going to school, they're working hard, they're getting married, they're buying houses, they're having children. You are indeed a GREAT uncle now! We know you are also taking care of and playing with the lost babies.
Having you in our lives was such a gift. I was able to draw upon your strength and inspiration in surviving my second bout of cancer last year. Your gifts to us, even after your death, have been a true blessing. This year, you would have turned 60 on October 2nd. We will celebrate your memory on that day, just as you are in our hearts everyday.
You are not forgotten, dear brother.
I love you!

John, today marks four years ago that we lost you. Our family has not been the same. It's an understatement to say that we miss you. I truly think about you everyday. I urge everyone to go by the cemetery where you are buried and to spend some time with you and our sister Linda and our parents William and Arleen. Even though you are gone, your memory lives on.

Dear John,
Today is my 61st birthday. I don't know why I've been able to make it this far when you were only given 54 years on this Earth. I think about you every day. It's been hard this past year, trying to process that you are no longer here. But your quiet strength and will to live during your lifetime empowers me and helps me through life today. You were an awesome brother and a tremendous influence on my six children. You will not be forgotten. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the assistance that only you provided when I was battling my own cancer. As my brother Mark has previously mentioned, thank you for what you have done for me and my family. I also hope that I can emulate the good person that you were. I truly love you, little brother. May you be at peace.

John it has been just over a year. I miss you. You will always be in my prayers. I visit with you often and I hope it never stops. Liza and I and the kids are doing fine. I mention you to them often. Thank- you for what you have done for us. Words cannot thank you enough. I hope I am a good steward. Good-bye for now.

John, you will forever reside in my mind as the coolest, most genuine uncle a guy could ask for. You were always so down to earth and knew how to make everyone laugh. You remained calm and happy even during the dark times. Thank you for all the memories. You will be missed, Uncle. Rest in Peace.

My heartfelt condolences go out to all of John's family and friends. I know the pain and loss you are feeling. I remember John as a lively and happy person, and that is the memory I will always have of him.

My memories of John will always be of a smiling, generous man who loved spending time with the family. I will always remember him as my favorite uncle, always joking with us and laughing. John was truly one-of-a-kind and very much loved. I am relieved that his suffering and pain are gone now and I will cherish the memories that I have of him.

John, you were like the brother I never had. I shall forever cherish the memories of our football weekends in Indianapolis, school picnics at St. Elizabeth with the kids, and all the concerts---Genesis, Yes, CS&N, Rush, Van Halen, Steely Dan---we enjoyed together. It was my privilege to have been your brother-in-law. Rest In Peace.