John Walter Wichern, 82, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 21, 1938, in Altenburg, Missouri, son of Oscar and Meta Lichtenegger Wichern. He and Jeanette Davis were married Sept. 25, 1958. She passed away Aug. 24, 2018.

John grew up on a farm north of Shawneetown, "Northern Cape County," as he would often call it, and was a farmer all of his life. He graduated from Jackson Senior High School, and shortly after high school, was a pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1957; two of his years were served in England. John enjoyed woodworking, craft fairs, family reunions and visits to Branson, Missouri. Some of his favorite things in life were his family, and being in the outdoors and fresh air.

John was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, where he served on the board for 55 years. He was a former member of the Jackson School Board, Jackson PTA, Jackson Planning and Zoning and the Veterans Association, and was a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 for 57 years.

Loving survivors include two children, Joy Smith of Jackson and James (Debra) Wichern of Lenexa, Kansas; four granddaughters; three grandsons-in-law; eight great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and a brother, Paul (Jeanette) Wichern of Jackson.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Virgil Kelm officiating. Interment will follow in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Pocahontas, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.