John Lee Balderston, 72, was called to his Heavenly Home on Sept. 3, 2022, surrounded by his wife and family at his home in Beaver. He was born July 10, 1950, in Clay Center, the son of John William and Hazel (Forney) Balderston. John served as a SP4 in the Army from 1968 to 1974.
He worked for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in Great Bend from 1978 until his retirement in 2005. He later began working as a custodian for USD 431, at Lincoln Elementary.
He loved his job, enjoyed the staff and interacted with the children who labeled him as “The Whistling Janitor.”
On April 8, 1980, he married Mary E. (Meyeres) Flaherty, in Great Bend. In 1988, on their anniversary, they renewed their vows at Holy Family Catholic Church, in Odin. John was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Hoisington, and a member of the V.F.W. John loved the great outdoors, everything from fishing and camping to bowhunting. He excelled at archery and made his own arrows. He was a Boy Scout Leader in Claflin when his stepchildren were growing up.
In his later years, his family would often gather at Sylvan Park at Wilson Lake to camp. A handyman in all aspects, John could fix or build anything and never turned down an opportunity to help his kids in whatever they needed, whether it was home improvement or working on automobiles. He was always up for the task. John loved to listen to Christian Music. The Gaithers was just one of his many favorites. He learned to play the guitar, and with his love of woodworking, he built a cigar box guitar which brought him much joy. John will always be remembered for his deep love and dedication to God and his family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Balderston of the home; a son, Heath Balderston and wife Jamie of Andover; stepsons, John P. Flaherty of Lenexa, Michael Flaherty and wife Angela of Derby; and a stepdaughter, Shelly Keller and husband Travis of Hays; ex-wife, Sharon (Lagasse) Angelmeyer of Great Bend; and eight grandchildren, Dayton Balderston, Avery Balderston, Jordan Flaherty, Madisyn Keller, Quinton Flaherty, Kaitlyn Flaherty, Camryn Flaherty, and Karlynn Flaherty; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Tanner Starkey Flaherty, brother, Larry Balderston, sisters, JoAnn Krager and LaDonna Rundle, and an infant brother, Ray.
Services will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington. A Rosary will begin at 1:30 p.m., with Memorial Service beginning at 2 p.m., with Father Anselm Eke, MSP, presiding. Livestream of service may be viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net under John’s obituary. Inurnment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Beaver, with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Army Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department or St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.