John M. "Mike" Womeldorff III

John Michael Womeldorff III, "Mike", 77, passed away from this world Monday, March 18, 2024 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo.
Mike was born March 12, 1947 in Parsons, KS. To June (Day) and John Michael Womeldorff II. As an RH baby, he had 5 blood transfusions and was not expected to live. However, he was blessed to have never had to be in the hospital until the age of 67.
Mike married Debbie Murphy and had three sons, John, Matthew, and Mark. They later divorced. Mike and Sandy DuBois of Picher, OK were married in 1983 and they had their fourth son, David.
Mike is survived by his wife, Sandy, of the home. Sons John (Sharon) of Girard, KS. Matthew (Angi) of Augusta, KS. Mark (Katie) of Olathe, KS. David (Brandi) of Lansing, KS. Six grandchildren Chris Womeldorff of Girard, KS. Mallory Womeldorff of Columbia, MO. Rachel and Rebekah Womeldorff of Augusta, KS. Wyatt and Cassidy Womeldorff of Olathe, KS. Sister Mickey Long, Nieces Stephane Long, Jennifer Long-Oglesby (Ben), Great niece Harriet Oglesby, all of Boston, Mass.
Mike lived his whole life in Parsons. In fact, generations of Womeldorffs spent their life in Parsons. His great-great grandfather, John moved from Illinois to Galesburg in a covered wagon with 12 children. His great grandfather, John, owned and operated the Livery Stable located where the fire station and Ace Hardware is now. His grandparents, Frank and Mae, operated the News Stand at the Katy Depot for many years. Mike's father, John Michael Womeldorff II was a conductor on the Katy Railroad.
As a young man, Mike threw the newspaper, worked at a gas station and managed the Parsons Drive- In. Later, he became a welder and his work is still standing on signs in Oswego, and on grain elevators in Greenbush and Galesburg. Later, he worked as a Deputy Sheriff and became Labette County Under-Sheriff. In 1977 he moved to Security at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant for 35 years. He knows every corner in Labette County, and always had a story about them.
Mike was a big man with a big heart. He wanted to give. In elementary school, one of his classmates was at home with a broken leg. Mike, with his mother and teacher's help, moved his own birthday party to the girl's house so she would not be left out.
In high school, he played first chair trumpet, and was a member of a Dixieland Band. He loved Mo-Kan and racing cars. He also was involved in the Mason's.
The most important thing in the world to him was his family.
Mike was an advocate for the Deaf. He was a member/Chairperson of the Board for the KS Commission of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He was a member of several inaugural boards including, member/ Chairperson Southeast Kansas Independent Living (SKIL), City of Parsons ADA Board, Parsons Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Assistive Technology Grant board, First Christian Church Sunbeams Pre-School, Parsons High School vocal music, construction board for the S. E. KS regional Jail, Ft. Scott, KS.
Mike attended many KS Bureau of Investigation training schools, homicide investigation in Wyoming and U.S. Army Military Police School at Fort McClelland, Alabama.
He loved God. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Parsons, and attended Free Will Baptist Church of Parsons and the Cowboy Church in Altamont. He loved Gospel Music, especially old time and blue grass Gospel Music. He and Sandy traveled many times to Mountain View, Arkansas to listen to and enjoy many old-time Gospel Bands.
He was certainly not perfect, but because of his love of God, we trust that God will say, Well done thou good and faithful servant, you have fought the good fight, enter into Heaven.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 23, at the First Christian Church with Rev. Jennifer Dawson and Phil Phelps officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday. Memorials are suggested to either the Kansas State School for the Deaf (checks should be made to KSD Endowment) or the Shriner's Hospital. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at P. O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online messages may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.