John Bennett “JB” Towner, 84, of Pittsburg, KS, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on July 08, 1931 in Pittsburg to John J. Towner and Nadine H. (Thompson) Towner. JB was lifelong member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, a graduate of St. Mary’s Grade School and of St. Mary’s High School in 1949. In 1952 JB graduated from Kansas State Teachers College (PSU) after which he served two years in the United States Military as a Military Police Officer. In 1958 he graduated from Washburn University of Topeka. JB was an avid athlete having won the Joplin Golden Gloves as a welterweight in 1952. JB played quarterback for the St. Mary’s Panthers and for the Pittsburg State Gorillas. He also played summer league baseball including for the Pittsburg Merchants. On June 08, 1958 JB passed the Bar Examine and began practicing law in Pittsburg which he did for over 35 years. JB founded his own firm with Robert Fleming and later merged the firm to become the Law Firm of Wilbert and Towner located at 506 North Pine Street. JB held several organizational membership and served on several Boards and Foundations in the Pittsburg community including: Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund and Finance Committee, Mt. Carmel Hospital Board, St. Mary’s – Colgan School Board, P.S.U. Foundation and Athletic Scholarship Fund Drive Director, Crestwood Country Club, First State Bank and Trust Board of Director, and the Kansas Bar Association. He also served as general counsel for several companies including the National Pizza Company and McNally’s corporate Board of Directors. JB’s favorite past-times were reading, playing golf, hunting and fishing. JB distinguished himself in golf by making two hole-in-one’s; one playing left-handed and another right-handed. He greatly enjoyed hunting duck, quail and pheasant with his cousin John Ewing and dear friend Gene Bicknell along with several other friends and family.
On August 10, 1957, JB married Delores D. Mingori at Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg. They have three sons, Tim (Patrick O’Bryan), Terry (Karen) of Pittsburg, and Joseph (George Parker) of Los Angeles, CA; four grand-children, Stuart (Makala), Maria, Olivia and Adrienne Towner and one great-grand-daughter, Ali Towner. He is also survived by a sister, Zoe Ann Ryan (Raymond) and a brother, Jim Towner (Beverly) of Pittsburg. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mass of Christian Burial is set for 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 31, 2015, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Robert McElwee and Father Michael Baldwin as co-celebrant. Burial will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery, Pittsburg. A parish rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the Brenner Mortuary. The family will receive friends following the rosary until 8:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.
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