THAYER — Velma John, 83, of Thayer died Sunday, June 10, 2012, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita.

She was born in Thayer on Aug. 28, 1928, the daughter of Delmer Leon and Ethel May (Crowl) Woolery. She graduated from Thayer High School in 1945.

She married James DeMoss John on March 9, 1946, in Chanute. He preceded her in death on Sept. 11, 1986.

Mrs. John was a member of Thayer Christian Church, where she was active in the Thursday Ladies Bible Study. She was also a member of the Coffee Club, where she met ladies at the 169 Café for breakfast several times a week. She enjoyed crocheting and quilting.

Survivors include seven children, Cathy Heit and her husband, Pat, of Dennis, Janet Babcock and her husband, Larry, Sharon Hougardy and her husband, Alan, Harold John and his wife, Paula, Betty Wheeler and her husband, Steve, Robert John and his wife, Ann, all of Thayer, and Mary Jo Hall and her husband, Dave, of Keokuk, Iowa; 22 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Lois Raida of Thayer; and a brother, Larry Woolery and his wife, Joy, of Thayer.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

The service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Thayer Christian Church in Thayer. Burial will follow in Thayer Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church.

Memorials may be made to Thayer Christian Preschool, Thayer Christian Funeral Dinner Committee, or NMRMC Care Car and may be left with Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel of Chanute.

Online condolences may be left at www.PenwellGabelChanute.com.