John Bedore

(From Stumpff Funeral Home)

John, JC, Butch, Bedore, 73 of Kimberling City, Mo. passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on April 20, 2020.

He was born on June 17, 1946 in Goodland, Ks. to Emile (John) Bedore, and Hazel Hansen. John grew up in Goodland Ks. and graduated from SCHS in Goodland, Ks. in 1964.

He worked at Myers Service Station before beginning work on the Rock Island Railroad. His work for the Rock Island took him from Goodland, Ks. to El Reno, Oklahoma and then to Little Rock, Arkansas.

In 1973 John began working for the MKT (Missouri, Kansas Texas) Katy Railroad in Parsons, Ks. He married Sherry Howard on May 15, 1976. In 1978 they moved to Kansas City, Ks. In which time he began working for the Cotton Belt Railroad. John was the youngest General Store Keeper on the Railroad.

In 1987 he retired from the Railroad. He and Sherry moved to Kimberling City, Mo. and opened a Retail/Wholesale clothing store. Knotholes & Lace Inc. in Branson, Mo.

In 2003 they sold the retail part of the store and moved the wholesale part to their home and began internet sales and going on the road doing craft shows. From up north Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Indiana, Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas.

John retired in 2018. Since 2003 he was very active in the Church. He was an Usher at the New Testament Christian Church in Reeds Spring, Mo., standing at the front door welcoming and greeting people with a hand-shake and a smile (and an umbrella if it was raining!).

His hobbies included church work, collecting railroad memorabilia, and spending time with his kids, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He especially enjoyed family game night.

John was preceded in death by: his parents; daughter, Londa Bedore; and sister, Jolene Bedore Maynor.

Survivors include: his wife Sherry Bedore of Kimberling City, MO; two sons, Todd Bedore and wife Kelly of Parsons, KS and Dustin Bedore and wife, Barb of Goodland, KS; daughter, Jennifer Bedore-Woodworth of Plano, TX; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

A Memorial Service for John will be held this summer at New Testament Christian Church Reeds Spring, MO. Arrangements are under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home Kimberling City, MO.