John Wayne Norman, 87, of Waverly, KS died the afternoon of January 8 ^th , 2020 at his home.

He was born March 9, 1932, in his family home 6 miles south of Waverly, KS. He was the only son of John and Olive Fern (Kukuk) Norman. His parents preceded him in death as did one sister, Adelia Ritchey. He had three surviving sisters: Evelyn Kimmell, Iva Bowen, and Audrey Keith.

John Wayne described himself as "strictly a country boy". With the exception of his military service, he lived and farmed in rural Waverly his entire life. He graduated from Waverly High School with the class of 1949. He served in the U.S. Army from January 15, 1953 to December 24, 1954. He was a veteran of the Korean War.

John Wayne married Roberta Ann Keys on May 15, 1955 at the Burlington Methodist Church in Burlington, KS.   He was surrounded by girls with the birth of 3 daughters:  Laurie (Steve) Stewart of Lenexa, KS, Sandra (Jack) Salava of Manhattan, KS, and Gaye (Johnnie) Jarred of Claremore, OK. John Wayne eventually got some boys with his sons-in-law and the birth of four grandsons plus one granddaughter: Jesse Jarred (Marissa), John Michael Jarred (Natalie), Jordan Salava, Justin Jarred, and Sara Salava Bower (Craig). He was also blessed with four great grandchildren: Mara, Mali, Mava, and Rhett Jarred. He loved having family members come to the farm to play and visit.

During his lifetime, John Wayne was active in the community with service on the following: Rural Water District #3, Coffey County Farm Bureau, Extension, and Fair Boards. He participated in the Coffey County Saddle Club and became horse superintendent for the annual Coffey County Fair when his father retired from that position.  John Wayne enjoyed dancing and was a member of the Waverly Wranglers Square Dance Club. Following their square-dancing period, he and Roberta often traveled to Altoona, KS to dance. He never turned down a chance to dance or go casino gambling. Football and basketball seasons found him watching, listening, and chair side coaching players on television. He was honored to participate in the 12 ^th Southern Coffey County Honor Flight to Washington, DC in April of 2017. Following his cancer diagnosis, he attended Coffey County Cancer Support Group meetings and truly appreciated the caring support of this group in addition to the staff from Hand in Hand Hospice.

As to his wishes John Wayne was cremated. Memorial Services will be 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at the Jones Funeral Home. Inurnment will take place later in the Glendale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hand in Hand Hospice or the Coffey County Cancer Support Group and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.