John E. "Johnnie" Maffei, 81, of McCune, loving husband, and father, went to be with his Heavenly Father, on Monday, February 27, 2023. He passed away at his home following a brief illness.
He was born on July 21, 1941, to Arthur Edward and Bertha Gertrude (Bergmann) Maffei in St. Paul, Kansas. As a young boy, he grew up and attended school in the McCune areas, graduating from McCune High School in 1959.
Following high school, Johnnie spent his life farming and raising livestock with his younger brother, Kenny, in the McCune area. He retired at the age of 78.
His family was the center of Johnnie's life. Johnnie and Kenny farmed, fished, hunted, and team-penned together for many years. What one didn't think of, the other one did. The two could often be found together at the local restaurant visiting with friends, drinking coffee, and eating breakfast. Johnnie's family, especially his grandchildren, brought him the greatest joy in his life.
On November 22, 1980, Johnnie and Dorothy "Dot" Kluber were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in McCune. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include:
Two sons – John Maffei of Joplin, Missouri
Joe Maffei of Kansas City, Missouri
One daughter – Stephanie Kuye (Abimbola) of Wichita, Kansas
Seven grandchildren – Jakob Maffei, Jaxson Maffei, Aiden Maffei, Sophia Maffei, Angeline Mercado, Jeremy Mercado, and Layla Berry
One brother – Kenneth Maffei of McCune, Kansas
Two sisters – Betty Jean Van Leeuwen of St. Paul, Kansas
Coleen Defreese of Pittsburg, Kansas
Brother-in-law – Jim Kluber (Sherri) of Grove, Oklahoma
Sister-in-law – Carol Woods of Jackson, Missouri
Numerous nieces and nephews and other family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Arthur Maffei; mother-in-law, Anna Kluber; three brothers-in-law, Larry VanLeeuwen, John Defreese, and Larry Woods; one sister-in-law, Peggy Maffei; one cousin, Sharon Mishler; one niece, Misty Maffei, and one great-nephew, Mitch Maffei.
The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons. Burial will follow at the McCune Cemetery in McCune. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to help defray funeral expenses. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
