Surrounded by his family in his home, John D. Wingo, 78, of Newton, Kansas, peacefully moved to Heaven on June 21, 2023, following a 10-year journey with Parkinson’s.
John was born on March 2, 1945, in Newton, Kansas, and grew up in Walton, Kansas. He graduated from Walton High School in 1963. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1967. His four-year tour of duty included Naval Support Activity in DaNang, Vietnam, resulting in exposure to agent orange.
John married Anna Antonowich and they had two children, Tom and Amy Wingo. They later divorced. On Dec. 29, 1990, John married Rita (Enns) Fitch.
John worked as a laborer for Santa Fe/BNSF Railroad for 38 years. He became the “go-to man” at the Rip Track, as he was responsible for ensuring all the supplies needed for rail car repair work were on hand, and he knew exactly where everything was. John’s other-than-work activities included his time spent tending to the First Christian Church property for many years; lawn and weed maintenance, inside building maintenance and repairs along with his “sidekick,” Keith Sims. John designed and constructed a lighted cross for the sanctuary and a moveable welcome center. He was instrumental in the installation of the lighted marquee and the flag pole in front of the church.
John will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 32 years, Rita (Enns) Fitch, of the home; son, Tom (Connie) Wingo; daughters, Amy (Jim) Hopper, Kelly Fitch-Klipple, and Wendi Fitch-Hills; grandson, Jeremy (Tierra) Wingo; granddaughter, Abby Wingo; grandson, Matthew (Mattie) Wingo; grandson, Joe Hopper; granddaughter, Sarah Hopper; granddaughter Payton (Kayla Sparkman) Dickey; granddaughter, Ashley Dickey; grandson, Justis (Madison Wohlgemuth) Hillis; granddaughter, Skylar Hillis; grandson, Stephen Ybarra; grandson Nathanial Ybarra; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia Wingo-Moon and Betty Wingo-Swafford; brother, Gene (Jim) Wingo; nieces, nephews, and many, many friends, including Kansas Christian Home’s Men’s Tuesday Morning coffee group.
John was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Margaret (Kasper) Wingo; grandparents; sister, Donna Wingo-Perez; brother-in-law, Darrel Swafford; aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of John’s life with Navy Honors was at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27, at First Christian Church, with Pastor Gary Bell presiding. The family received friends and relatives from 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall until service time in the sanctuary.
Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the First Christian Church in Care of Petersen Funeral Home.
