John Joseph Munding

John Joseph Munding was born April 26, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the son of Dr. Linus Aloysius and Ruth Alice (Westerheide) Munding. John was raised in Tulsa attending Saint Mary's School through the eight grade and Bishop Kelly High School, graduating in 1964.

Upon graduation from high school, John attended Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah where he obtained a Bachelor of Science, majoring in both economics and history. He continued to study history throughout his life as he gained knowledge of both the Civil and Vietnam wars through his devote reading of history books. Shortly after graduation from NSU, John was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army. He served honorably during his military career and was extremely proud of being a Vietnam veteran.

John was married to Janelle Ferguson in Pawnee, Oklahoma on June 14, 1969. The couple made their home in Pawnee during John's military service and upon his discharge moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. John was employed for several years by General Food Corporation and Amour Meat Company. In 1975, John obtained his Oklahoma license in Insurance and established the John Munding Insurance Agency in Cleveland. John and Janelle raised three daughters while residing in the Westport area near Cleveland, Jennifer, Katey and Glenna. During his career in Insurance, John represented many companies but has recently been affiliated with the Ohio Casualty Company and BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma.

John was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cleveland where he served in numerous capacities including the parish board for many years and taught Sunday School classes. His obvious devotion to his faith and love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was readily apparent in his love for his family, friends and associates. John especially enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren and was eagerly anticipating the birth of a new grandchild.

In addition to his love for his church and family, John found time to be active in his community. He was a two time past president of the Cleveland Rotary Club and was recently honored as a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition for his devotion to Rotary International. During his youth, John was active in scouting and served as the Scout chairman for the local Rotary Club, working closely with the Boy Scouts of America Post in Cleveland. He served as a Pawnee County CASA volunteer as a child advocate, often served Meals on Wheels in the Cleveland area to those in need, was a member of the Cleveland Area Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. John often volunteered his time to assist with tutoring of children in the Cleveland School System. The pride he displayed in his country was evident in his membership in both the Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion. In 1999, he served as coordinator for the Pawnee County Veterans Memorial Day celebration.

John's fascination for trains was instrumental in his collection of toys and the sharing of this childhood dream with his grandchildren. He enjoyed the outdoors but especially liked hunting. John passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of fifty-six years, three months and seventeen days. He was preceded in death by his loving parents and a brother, Paul Adrian Munding.

John is survived by his wife, Janelle Munding, of the home; three daughters, Jennifer and Frank Trimboli, Edmond, Oklahoma, Katey and Aziz Masri, Stillwater, Oklahoma and Glenna Ruth Munding, New York, New York; five grandchildren, Jasmine Masri, Dylan Masri, Aidan Masri and Zane Masri, all of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Ian Trimboli, Edmond, Oklahoma; four brothers, Michael John Munding, Moline, Illinois, Linus Phillip Munding, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Edward Fabin and Natalie Munding, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey and Victor Eugene and Joanna Munding, Moore, Oklahoma; two sisters, Linda Anne Munding, Cleveland, Oklahoma and Susan Catherine Piccolo, Tulsa, Oklahoma; uncle, Matthew Alvin Munding, Jr., Muskogee, Oklahoma; aunt, Treva Westerheide, Minster, Ohio; uncle, Dr. James Westerheide, Detroit, Michigan; father and mother-in-law, D. Jo and Helen Ferguson, Pawnee, Oklahoma; sister-in-law and her husband, Cheryl and Junior Bryant, Pawnee, Oklahoma; and three brother-in-laws and their wives, Jo and Debbie Ferguson, Pawnee, Oklahoma, David and Debbie Ferguson, Pawnee, Oklahoma and Scott and Barbara Ferguson, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm, Friday, August 16, 2002 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cleveland. Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 17, 2002 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sand Springs. Burial will be at the Highland Cemetery in Pawnee, Oklahoma under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for John Munding at www.chapman-black.com.''