We are deeply saddened to share that John Joseph Lewandowski, 93, of Salina, Kansas died on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. He was lovingly known to friends and family as John, Lew, Dad, and Grandpa. John may have been small in stature, but he was a quiet, fiercely loyal, and caring man who was always there when needed. Our hearts are broken at his passing, but his selfless dedication to family remains as an inspiration to us all.

John was born in Bellwood, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, on March 9, 1933 to Mary A. (Derma) Lewandowski and Stanley E. Lewandowski. John was a second-generation Polish-American and grew up in a community largely comprised of families that had recently emigrated from Poland, Eastern Europe, and Russia. John graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1952. Early in 1953 he made a life-changing decision to join the U. S. Air Force. Following year-long intensive aircraft mechanic training in Texas, John was assigned to Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kansas with the Strategic Air Command where he would become a respected B-47/KC-135 aircraft mechanic and flight-line supervisor.

It was here in Salina, during the mid-1950s as a young airman, that John met his future bride, Gloria Oberndorfer. They were married in Sylvan Grove, Kansas in 1956. For over two decades, while serving in the U.S. Air Force, John and Gloria traveled and lived around the U.S. and across the Pacific in Okinawa while raising their two children, Rick and Kimberly. After 21 years of service, John retired as a Master Sargent (E-7) from the U.S. Air Force in 1974 and returned to Salina with Gloria and the family.

Though John was raised in the fast-growing suburbs of Chicago, he grew especially fond of the wide-open Kansas prairies where his wife, Gloria had grown up. With endless opportunities for hunting, fishing, gardening, golf, and relaxation, John and Gloria felt that they had found “home.” They both knew that Salina was where they would spend the rest of their lives.

However, after two decades of service with the U.S. Air Force, John may have been done with airplanes—but airplanes were not done with John. In July 1974, at 41 years old, he embarked upon his second career, working for the Beechcraft Company in Salina as an aircraft fabrication technician, focusing on stringing ailerons. John worked another 21 years at Beechcraft in several roles, retiring for the final time in March 1995.

As John settled into retirement, he remained active, immersing himself in golf and gardening. He played golf regularly at the municipal course, at least a few times a month; amazingly, he would do so until he was in his early 90s. John was also beloved in his neighborhood for sharing the bounty of surplus tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables from his garden, while Gloria canned as much as she could. If this was not enough, John and Gloria loved birds; their backyard became a sanctuary, filled with feeders and bird baths. Being detail-oriented by nature, John also kept his lawn and landscape impeccably maintained.

In their retirement, travelling also became a passion for John and Gloria. Over nearly two decades they travelled tens of thousands of miles to attend annual U.S. Air Force reunions across the country, while also making regular trips to visit their grandchildren in Pennsylvania. Somehow, they almost always found a casino along the way where they could spend the night and enjoy the thrill of a few hours of gambling.

These were wonderful years of companionship and travel for John and Gloria as they grew older together. Alas, Gloria’s health began to fail and eventually she became homebound. In typical fashion, John stepped in to be her dedicated and loving caregiver. For more than 10 years he faithfully cared for his beloved wife until her death in 2024 after 68 years of marriage, adventures, and family.

John’s life was indeed a fascinating journey–rewarding, frustrating, exciting, and at times painfully hard. Through his own health scares, physical and emotional pain, and the demands of caregiving, John never wavered or complained; he remained quietly dedicated regardless of the challenges he faced. We sometimes hear that there are those who “just talk” and those who “simply do.” John was definitely the latter, but few knew…now you do.

John, Dad, Lew, Grandpa…we will always cherish, remember, and love you. May you now rest in peace with your beloved wife, Gloria, at your side.

John is survived by his son Rick Lewandowski (wife Veronica) of West Grove, PA and his daughter Kimberly (Lewandowski) McBride of Salina, KS. He leaves behind his grandchildren Michael Lewandowski (partner Megan Francis) of Lake Wales, FL and Erin (Lewandowski) Kochka (husband Kevin) of West Grove, PA. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Harper and Emersyn Kochka of West Grove, PA.

John is also survived by his beloved nieces Karen Gajdorus, Lynn Zentner, Kris Krajnovich, and their families; his sister-in-law Marilyn (Oberndorfer) Griffin of Overland Park, KS; his nephew Bryan Griffin (wife Sara) of Overland Park, KS; and nieces Allison (Griffin) Blunt (husband Topher), Ashlyn Griffin, and Abbey Griffin.

John was preceded in death by his wife Gloria Lewandowski; his parents; his brother, Stanley Lewandowski; his sister, Veronica Krajnovich; his infant brother, Edward Lewandowski; his brother-in-law, Warren C. Griffin; his nephew, Jeffrey A. Griffin; his son-in-law, Larry F. McBride; and his grandson, Benjamin Joseph Lewandowski.

A family viewing will be held at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, Kansas on Thursday, April 9, 2026, followed by a private family graveside service and burial in Sylvan Grove, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Trinity Lutheran Church, 702 9th Street, Salina, KS 67401.