John Mungle

MARQUAND, Mo. -- John Wayne Mungle, 74, of Marquand died at his home April 24, 2018.

Born Jan. 2, 1944, in Wasco, California, he was the son of Everett Jefferson and Ruby Leona Sanders Mungle.

After his graduation from Patton (Missouri) High School in 1961, his life took many paths -- from his time as a welder at the dry docks and for the steamfitters, to his first business running dump trucks in St. Louis, to farming in Bollinger County and finally the proud owner of N & P Welding. He was a working man his entire life, even his hobbies of "cleaning up" the farm and gardening were labor-intensive.

In high school he was an avid athlete, skilled in basketball and volleyball, his favorite sport. His aggressive nature contributed to his abilities on the court and his reputation as a formidable foe. These activities resulted in a plethora of stories from him, his teammates and his rivals.

He was a dedicated husband. He and Janet Kay Slinkard married Aug. 13, 1966. He went to great lengths to be the best provider possible. He loved Janet sincerely, and they had a full life together filled with family, their time on the farm and growing the business. They were a team in so many ways.

He was a proud dad to his daughters and a doting grandpa to his four precious granddaughters. He was constantly surrounded by his girls. He taught his girls the value of hard work and how important it was to take pride in everything they did.

A skilled welder, he taught several young men how to weld and was involved in the shop programs at Meadow Heights until his health started to decline. He was always rooting for the underdog and took great satisfaction in helping others get their footing. A hard man who was fair and honest, he was filled with a soft heart and was always willing to lend a hand, without anyone knowing it was him.

His sense of humor and his stories have entertained many over the years. He was larger than life and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years; his two daughters, Nancy (Rick) Strothmann of Marquand and Pamela (Shawn) Price of Jackson; his mother, Leona Mungle of Patton; four brothers, Larry (Linda) Mungle of Fredericktown, Missouri, Mark (Vickie) Mungle of Jackson, Randy (Millie) Mungle of Sullivan, Missouri, and Reggie (Tonya) Mungle of Marble Hill, Missouri; three sisters, Karen (Allan) Mills of Lesterville, Missouri, Joyce Crites of Jackson and Katherine Burris of Eldon, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Anna Mungle of Patton and Rene Mungle of Sedgewickville, Missouri; and four grandchildren, Catie Mungle, Hannah Strothmann and Ella and Emma Price.

He was preceded in death by his father; two brothers, Jerry and Kenneth Mungle; an infant sister, Dorothy; and his father- and mother-in-law, Charles M. and Katherine Slinkard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Roy Michaels and Jamie Hovis officiating. Burial will follow in Patton Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Patton Cemetery or Association for Suicide Prevention.