John Eldon Masters

John (Eldon) Masters age 80 passed away Monday, January 9, 2023 at Advent Hospital, Merriam, Kansas.  He was born on March 13, 1942 in Axtel, Kansas to John and Wilhelmina Masters.  He grew up in Rosedale, Kansas attending schools at Maccochaque Elementrary, Rosedale Junior and Senior High School and graduated in 1960.  He went on to Kansas State University and studied there for two years.  He married Judy Harper on April 12, 1963 and had two children.  He started working for his father in 1958 at Bernie Electrical Wholesale, where he remained until taking retirement (officially) in 2017.  The family attended church at Rosedale Congregational Church and was very active with the running of the church and rental properties until the church closed its doors in 2020.  Eldon was an Eagle Scout and continued working with Scouting with his son until John reached the level of Eagle Scout.  Both were members of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.  He joined William Rankin Chapter Order of DeMolay, Kansas City Kansas at the age of 14 and progressed up the line to serve as Master Councilor at the age of 17.  His service to DeMolay continued for several years as he served on the Supreme Council as the Executive Officer for the state of Kansas.  He was Dad to all.  He was raised in the Blue Lodge joining Rosedale Masonic Lodge #333 and served as Master of the Lodge in 1974.  He was a member of the Scottish Rite and a member of Abdallah Shrine where he served as Potentate in 2013 and was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Saint Louis Shriners Hospital for Children for 11 years.  

Eldon was preceded in death by a sister Mary, his father John H. Masters, his mother, Wilhelmina Masters, brother Robert and brother Raymond.  He is survived by his siblings, Clarence Masters (Rosa), Jean Ann Pattimore (John), Terry Masters (Celeste), Gerald Masters (Marsha), Wilma Schwermer (Mike) and sister in laws Kay Masters and Cindy Masters.  His wife Judy, son John (Betsy), daughters Wendy Lamb, Bridget Munro (Steve) and Birgitte Ravnholt  (Michael), granddaughters Sabra Preece (Tim), Lauren Coleman, and grandsons John (Ashley), Gregory Munro and Josh Ravnholt. Great grandson Slade and great granddaughter Lilith.  He is also survived by NUMEROUS nieces and nephews and their kids and their kids…and last but not least his furry little companion for the last nine years, Ziggy Masters.

A celebration of life will be held on January 21, 2023 11:00am at Abdallah Shrine Center 5300 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas 66202 with lunch following the services.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Saint Louis Shriners Hospital for Children.