John Everett Briggs

John Everett Briggs, of Mankato, Kansas, was born to Floyd and Anna (Heater) Neeper Briggs on April 8, 1943, at Mankato, Kansas.  He died November 13, 2018 at the Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Kansas, at the age of 75 years, 7 months, and 5 days.

John was educated at the Mankato Public Schools and he enlisted in the United States Army.  He served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in the 4 ^th United States Army and was honorable discharged.

John has lived in Clay Center, Nebraska and Harvard, Nebraska.  He met Phyllis Gnewuch and they were united in marriage on October 29, 1966 at Harvard, Nebraska.  To this union two children were born – John Merle and Susan Marie.

John operated Auto and Wrecker Service in Harvard and was active in the Harvard Fire and Rescue Department.  John and Phyllis moved to Mankato and John open Briggs Auto Repair Shop in Mankato.  John was active in the Mankato Fire and Rescue Department, and 9 a.m. coffee group in Mankato.

John was preceded in death by his parents – Floyd and Anna; three brothers - John Briggs, Marvin Briggs, and Robert Neeper; and six sisters - Juanita Wince, Ivalee Bush, and Mary Ellen Sykes, Shirley Williamson, Wanda Jean Mauk, and Donna Meier.

He leaves to mourn his death, his wife - Phyllis of the home; son - John Briggs of Mankato; daughter’s – Susan Roush, and fiancé – Robert Parker of Courtland, Kansas, and Lynne Pavelka of Hebron, Nebraska; Susan’s daughters – Danielle Roush and life partner - Brittany Roush of Beatrice, Nebraska, and Jordan Roush and partner – Alex Brown of Shawnee, Kansas; sister - Lenora Jaske, Ponca City, Oklahoma, and brother – George Briggs, Fremont, California; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Celebration of life service for John Everett Briggs was Monday, November 19, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., at the Mankato Christian Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle officiating.  Mrs. Pat Grout played the instrumental music, and Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle was the soloist.  “Old Rugged Cross” was the solo, and recorded music of “Seven Spanish Angels” by Willie Nelson, and “I’ll Leave This World Loving You” by Ricky Van Shelton.  Casket bearers were – Scott Williamson, Charles Williamson, Montie Briggs, Mike Penn, Shannon Meier, Roger Meier, and Robert Parker.  Interment was in the Balch Cemetery, Formoso, Kansas, with Military Honors presented by United States Army Honor Guard, Fort Riley, Kansas, and Servicemen and women from Jewell County, Kansas.  Escort to the cemetery was provided by Mankato Fire Department Truck No 26 to the cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Mankato Fire Department or Jewell County Emergency Medical Services, in care of the funeral Home.  Visitation was Sunday, November 18, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas.  Online condolences can be left at www.melbymortuary.com .  Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.