John Kohler

It is with great sadness the family of John Frederick Kohler announce his passing on December 26, 2018. We will mourn the loss of this exceptional man and celebrate his life and the memories we are lucky enough to have. The oldest of five children, he was born on September 17, 1936 to John and Mary (Hoffarth) Kohler. He spent his childhood in Raymond and Outlook before moving to nearby Plentywood, MT. He graduated from Plentywood H. S. in 1954. In September 1956, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Breckenridge. He was discharged in 1960 and reenlisted in 1963 where he was a Petty Officer 2nd Class on a LCU Division and the USS Kitty Hawk. He was on one of the first ships that landed in Vietnam when war broke out. After his second discharge, he lived in Allen, WA and worked in the Bremerton shipyards. John held many jobs, including police officer in Plentywood, McGuire Lumber in Yakima, and the US Bureau of Reclamation, from which he retired in 1992. While living in Yakima, he met and married Faye Bishop. They had just celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary on November 25. He had a terrific sense of humor and was known for his jokes. He had a thick head of wavy hair that all the ladies loved. He was proud of his German heritage and was known for playing the accordion. After retirement, he enjoyed working in his woodshop, making and selling his crafts. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Kathy Kohler; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Les Thomas. He is survived and will be missed by his wife, Faye, her five children, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers: Gerald (Donna) Kohler, Plentywood, MT and Lee (Bonnie) Kohler, Havre, MT and their families and the families of his deceased brother and sister, and numerous other family members. Viewing will be from 9am – 12noon, Friday, January 4, 2019 with Funeral Service starting at 12noon; both in the Valley Hills Funeral Home Chapel (2600 Business Ln., Yakima). Burial will follow the service at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Kohler, please visit our flower store.