John Edward Howe

John Edward Howe, 81, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on April 11th, 2025. He was born in 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Daniel “Leo” Howe and Margaret Howe.

John was the third of five children and grew up alongside his older brothers Dan and Steve, younger brother Mike, and sister Mary Ann. As a young man, John worked at Walter’s Corner Grocery—a job he remembered fondly. He graduated from St. John’s Seminary High School in Kansas City, Missouri.

John later began working for Trans World Airlines (TWA), where he met Candy. They married in 1974 and shared over 50 wonderful years together.

After moving to Topeka, John began working with Candy’s mother, June, who operated nursing homes. He and Candy eventually purchased their first facility, beginning a long and meaningful career operating skilled nursing and assisted living homes across Northeast Kansas. John was driven by a deep commitment to compassionate care, ensuring that residents were treated with dignity and respect. Over the years, he and Candy provided care and employment to hundreds of people.

In retirement, John enjoyed traveling, spending time with his grandchildren, and achieving a lifelong dream of earning a college degree, graduating from Baker University with a BA in Business. A skilled carpenter and handyman, he helped design and build several homes and was always ready to help family with projects. Aa a lifelong Chiefs fan, he especially enjoyed their recent championship seasons.

John will be remembered as a kind, patient, and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. The greatest lessons he taught were not through words but through the quiet integrity and humility with which he lived his life.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Margaret, and his brothers, Dan and Mike. He is survived by his wife, Candy; his brother, Steve; his sister, Mary Ann; his sons, Paul, Justin, and Rip; and his six grandchildren: Sydney, Molly, Holly, John, Anna, and Madeline.

A visitation will be held at 9:00 A.M. at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 21650 W 115th Terrace, Olathe, KS on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Mass will follow at 10:00 A.M. with burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas.

In honor of John’s memory, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Paul’s Catholic Church’s campaign to build a new church—an effort that was especially meaningful to him and reflected his faith and support of the parish community.