John E. ‘Johnnie’ Maffei

MCCUNE — John E. “Johnnie” Maffei, 81, of McCune, loving husband and father, went to be with his heavenly Father on Monday, Feb. 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. As a young boy, he grew up and attended school in the McCune area, 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 Nov. 22, 1980, Johnnie married Dorothy “Dot” Kluber at the Methodist Church in McCune. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, John Maffei of Joplin and Joe Maffei of Kansas City, Missouri; a daughter, Stephanie Kuye (Abimbola) of Wichita; seven grandchildren, Jakob Maffei, Jaxson Maffei, Aiden Maffei, Sophia Maffei, Angeline Mercado, Jeremy Mercado and Layla Berry; a brother, Kenneth Maffei of McCune; two sisters, Betty Jean Van Leeuwen of St. Paul and Coleen Defreese of Pittsburg; a brother-in-law, Jim Kluber (Sherri) of Grove, Oklahoma; a sister-in-law, Carol Woods of Jackson, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arthur Maffei; his mother-in-law, Anna Kluber; three brothers-in-law, Larry VanLeeuwen, John Defreese and Larry Woods; a sister-in-law, Peggy Maffei; a cousin, Sharon Mishler; a niece, Misty Maffei; and a great-nephew, Mitch Maffei.

The service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons. Burial will follow at the McCune Cemetery in McCune. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to help defray funeral expenses. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.

Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.