John Fladung

John Robert Fladung, 83, of Olathe, KS passed away on September 13, 2014. He was the youngest of nine children born, June 30, 1931 to Frank and Dora Fladung of Olpe, KS.

John helped with the farm until he joined the United States Marines in July of 1949. He was discharged for the convenience of the government in June 1950, when he was called back to active duty just a few weeks later once the Korean War broke out. He fought with the Item Company, Third Battalion, First Marines. During conflict, John was shot in the chest for which he was awarded the honor of a Purple Heart. Once recovered, John was assigned to support staff as a laundry machine operator. He was given an honorable discharge in 1952 when he returned to Emporia as a Marine Corp Reservist, with a final honorable discharge in 1956.

John worked in black top construction and then trained as a welder in Emporia. Eventually he moved to Kansas City where he continued with his welding career. He was proud to tell us that he worked on the BMA building downtown. He retired from Armco Steel as a welder in 1993.

John married Leona Markes in 1964, divorced in 1987. They adopted two children – Robert Alan Fladung - 1967 and Debra Lynn (Fladung) Whiteman – 1970. John remarried to Kathryn Neperud in 1993 and divorced in 2001.

John was active with Prince of Peace Catholic Church as well as many veterans' organizations. He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 115 of KCMO. He took pride in supporting their efforts, especially connecting his granddaughter's older convertible Mustang with the Chapter to be repainted and then used in parades. John was active with the local VFW in Olathe, assisting with Bingo and pulling floats in parades with his truck. John loved to travel to different veteran activities, mostly to Branson for the Purple Heart Conventions, but was also able to travel to Washington, D.C. to join his Item Company for a reunion and visit to the National Korean War Memorial. John was also active with the dedication of the local Korean War Memorial in Overland Park, KS. He placed bricks at the memorial to honor himself and his brothers that served in Korea.


John was also very involved with his family, his children as well as his many nieces and nephews. He loved to join the family at Melvern Lake to swim and boat. He even attempted water skiing at the age of 81 and rode a jet ski for the first time. In earlier years, we visited Lake of the Ozarks frequently to play in the water. John enjoyed traveling and took the family on many vacations with travel campers. He loved to sing and tell jokes.
John is survived by his children - Robert Alan Fladung of Overland Park, KS and Debra Lynn (Fladung) Whiteman of Olathe, KS and grandchildren - Donielle Elizabeth Whiteman and Cameron John Whiteman of Olathe, KS and siblings – Marge Korte and Rosemary Hogan of Ottawa, KS.

Preceding him in death is his grandson - Trebor Fladung, parents – Frank and Dora (Schroer) Fladung, siblings – Eileen Lowenstein, Charlotte Korte, Sr. Mary Jane Fladung, Herman Fladung, Eugene Fladung, and James Fladung.