John Henry Litle

John Henry Litle, 90, of Garden City, MO, was welcomed into Heaven to join with those saints who had gone before him in worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.  

He passed peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family and friends.

John was born in rural Cass County in 1932. He is the oldest son of John William Litle and Sheldena Irene Lee Litle. He was raised on the family farm and attended one room schoolhouses before graduating from Garden City High School in 1950. John was drafted into the Korean War in 1952, as a member of the United States Army, and was deployed for 14 months. During his time in Korea, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. When he returned home to Cass County, he promptly married Blanche Nadine Bates on August 19, 1956 at First Baptist Church of Garden City. John worked at Butler Manufacturing during his early career. The Lord blessed John and Blanche with three sons, Philip Litle of Haifa, Israel, Mark Litle of Troy, MO, and Stephen Litle of Harrisonville, MO. While raising a family, John attended Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, MO and received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts. Suzanne Litle Barnett of Garden City, MO was born to the couple a short time later, completing their family circle. John would spend the bulk of his working career teaching junior high Shop and World of Construction. Part of the curriculum was to build small outdoor sheds, which were sold to many Cass County residents. John spent 26 years in the Cass R-9 School District teaching seventh and eighth grade industrial arts, educating more than 2,000 students during his career. Following retirement, John worked as a machinist for Calmar Inc., running a mill and lathe. John retired again in 2001 and enjoyed spending time with Blanche, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

In November of 1979, John and Blanche became founding members of Antioch Southern Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, elder and member of various committees. He also had the privilege of drawing up the blueprints for the congregation’s original building, which still stands today. Many throughout the Harrisonville community will know John as Mr. Litle, who taught shop class. His family knows him as Dad, Daddy and Grandpa. 

He enjoyed many passions in life, including: history, sudoku, genealogy, basketball, the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, leatherwork, gardening and journaling. But, far outweighing each of these, his greatest passions in life were his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his family. He spent many years investing in the most precious commodity that there is - people. His family is forever blessed by his Godly example of a life well lived. 

John is preceded in death by his parents John and Sheldena Litle, his brother Richard Litle, granddaughter Victoria Litle, granddaughter Abigail Litle, grandson Gerrick Wheeldon, grandson Darryl Wheeldon, granddaughter-in-law Dasha Litle and great granddaughter Penelope Litle.

John is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years – Blanche Litle, of the home, his sister Margaret (Glen Dale) Riffle, of Pleasant Hill, MO, his son Philip (Heidi) Litle, of Haifa, Israel, son Mark (Charlotte) Litle, of Troy, MO, son Stephen (Jacque) Litle, of Harrisonville, MO and daughter Suzanne (Kevin) Barnett, of Garden City, MO, 17 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

His death will leave a hole in the hearts of his family and friends. But where there is sadness, that hole is quickly filled with fond memories and the knowledge of his steadfast love. We will miss you forever grandpa, but we rejoice in knowing that you are now free from the pains of this world and peacefully resting in the loving arms of our Lord.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the Antioch Southern Baptist Church, Harrisonville, Missouri.  Burial will be in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

The family will receive friends Friday, April 7, 2023 from 6:00p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Antioch Southern Baptist Church Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box, Harrisonville, Missouri.