John Ornelas, 85, Chanute, died Monday, July 2, 2012, at his home.
John was born June 16, 1927, at Bassett, the son of Joe and Juanita (Medina) Ornelas. He grew up in the Bassett and Iola area, attended Iola schools and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He operated a Mobil station at Lincoln and State streets and started a Harley Davidson Motorcycles shop, which he sold to his brother, creating Frank’s Harley Davidson in Iola.
On Sept. 30, 1970, John married Ana Nuno. He worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Torrance, Calif., before he retired at age 57. They moved to Humboldt in 1984 and then to Chanute in 1991. He enjoyed gardening, watching NASCAR and tinkering in the garage.
Survivors include his wife Ana; two children, Joe Ornelas, Lane, and Elizabeth Donnelly, Iola; four children from a previous marriage, Juanita Seto, California, Joanne Jackson, Arkansas, Janice Deken, Arizona, and Jody Guilford, Kansas; three siblings, Reuben Ornelas, Texas, David Ornelas, Wichita, and Mary Ornelas, Kansas City, Kan.; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, John Ornelas, Jr., a grandson Reuben Deken, four brothers, Joe Jr., Frank, Nacho and Nello Ornelas, and two sisters, Carmen Ornelas and Ofelia Dolores (Dee) Cannon.
Cremation has taken place.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Highland Cemetery. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
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