John Matthew Hasstedt began life on a farm east of Yates Center on January 25, 1931. He is the son of Rudolph and Esther Iona (Gardarl) Hasstedt. Two sisters, Lois and Nadine, were born to this union.

He attended grade school at Cherry Creek and one year at Yates Center High School. While working as a farmhand for Maynard Stockebrand he met his future wife, Wilma Pendlay, who also worked for the family. On May 31, 1952, they took off for Arkansas and got married.

Family includes his Wilma, his wife of 66 years; two sons, Floyd and wife Cheryl of Neodesha, KS, and Victor and wife Ruby, of Mooresville, IN; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Lois Gilham and husband Robert, Raytown, MO; nieces, nephews, and cousins; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; a sister, Nadine Mitchel and her baby, William; a granddaughter, Victoria Rae Hasstedt on May 4 of this year; aunts, uncles, and cousins.

John was baptized in the First Christian Church of Yates Center on April 17, 1962, by Minister Carl Packard. He was a faithful member. He enjoyed his Sunday School class parties and eating the food. He always went back for another one of Twyla's little treats she fixed, and sometimes there were crumbs in his pockets.

He joined the United States Army on January 30, 1952, and served during the Korean War. Upon his discharge on January 31, 1956, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

He spent his life working on the farm. In his leisure time John enjoyed antique tractors, fishing, and camping. After retirement, John and Wilma bought a camper and traveled to many different areas. Winters were spent in Rockport, Texas, fishing, attending music events, watching big ships traveling through the waters and spending time with friends. They also spent several times a year in Branson, Missouri, at their campground.

After his health started to get worse and he fell and broke his elbow, the rest of his life was living in Yates Center Health and Rehabilitation Center.

John passed peacefully, surround by family, on June 26, 2018.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M. Monday, July 2, 2018, at Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center. Burial will follow in Yates Center Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends from 12:30 P.M. Monday until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the "Town Hall" in Yates Center and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.