COL. John W. Halladay
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COL. John W. Halladay, 90, went to be with his Savior on Tuesday, 11 October, at his home. John was born on 10 June 1932, in a log cabin on Mormon Ridge, IA, the son of John Wesley and Martha (Charlier) Halladay. He graduated from Albion, IA, high school and enlisted in the Iowa National Guard at age 17. He received a direct commission in 1958 and went on active duty with the Army in 1961. In additional to numerous state-side assignments, he served two tours in Vietnam as an Intelligence Officer and two years in Puerto Rico as an Advisor.
In 1952, he married Amelia Maytag. They were married 42 years and had five children before she passed away in 1995. The family moved to Topeka in 1972, where John served as Secretary of the 5047th USAR School until his retirement. John had accumulated college credits along the way during his various assignments. He continued taking courses at Washburn and graduated with a degree in Accounting. After he was retired from the Army, he worked for a number of years for the Coast Guard Pay Center as an auditor.
In June 1996, he married long-time family friend Shirley (Farmer) Hancock in Lawrence, KS. She survives at the home. Other survivors include his daughter, Zandra Golden, Pearcy, AR; grandchildren, Lucas Golden (Rachel), Nashville; Mandy Green, Baldwin, WI; Travis Green, Dilynn Harvey (Jeff), Delinah Rank (Kris), Delanah Hendricks (Mike), Diana Bartlett (Brad), Angela Aragones, and Stephen Aragones, all of Topeka; 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his children, Lynnette Green, Peggy Aragones, David Halladay and Emmett Halladay, his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
In addition to Crestview United Methodist Church, John was an active member of Masonic Lodge #6, Lawrence and Arab Shrine, Topeka. He was also active in the Jayhawk Chapter of MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) and the Kaw Valley MOAA Chapter in Topeka, as well as other Kansas chapters. As an amateur radio operator, he remained active as Assistant Executive Officer for Region 7 for MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio Service) until his death. Prior to being the Assistant Executive Officer for Region 7, John was the Executive Officer for Region 7. John was an avid golfer and continued golfing until he turned 90. He and Shirley were fortunate to be able to golf in all 50 states, two Canadian provinces and Puerto Rico.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, 18 October, at Crestview United Methodist Church, 2245 Eveningside Drive, Topeka, KS. Burial will be later at Graceland Cemetery, Laurel, IA. The family suggests memorials in John’s name to the Crestview United Methodist Church or Shriners’ Crippled Children’s Hospital and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Shirley and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow
Really enjoyed working with John in MARS
Jerry/AAR7HB
Shirley, Zandra and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and John have been our friends for 30 years. I met you both when I joined MARS. I have certainly enjoyed both of your friendships and will sorely miss John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rick/AAR7AJ/ and Camille Atwood
Shirley and Family,
Sorry for your loss. I worked with John on several radio items and really enjoyed hearing his tales of golfing and other adventures. Keeping you in our prayers.
Andrew
Shirley and family,
Ray and I are going to miss John so much. You and John have always been routinely kind and thoughtful to us. John always gave tireless support to all the groups he was a member of. Shirley, you are important. Please continue to join us in our gatherings. Hugs. R & S
So very sorry to see this.. we loved our Saturday breakfasts and will miss seeing john
Shirley and Family –
We were very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a gentleman’s gentleman. Kind, generous and giving. It is an enduring tribute to our great nation that we produce such men as John. He will be missed. Shirley, we wish you all the peace and comfort that you so richly deserve.
Mike & Pam Sullivan
Shirley and family,
John was the voice of sage wisdom and I truly appreciated his advice and insight. Shirley, I always appreciated your quick wit and “can do attitude”. thank you for your service. I am sorry for your loss.
You are special people.
Shirley and family, Dennis and I were so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Wish we were able to be there for his service. We send our thoughts and prayers to you and the family. John will be missed by many.
Dear Shirley and family.
Sorry to hear of Johns passing. We will miss him at the end of the month`s supper & I at the Masonic Lodge. He was a good man who walked on the level. Shirley, may God continue to bless you.
Larry E. & Mary Ellen Shambaugh
Rest John, until you hear at dawn, the low, clear reveille of God. Thank you for your service to this nation. Iowa National Guard, and career U.S. Army, retired as a Colonel.