John “Jack” August Karls, 82, of Selden, Kansas passed away on Monday, May 28, 2018 at the Oberlin Hospital. John was born to August and Josephina Karls on November 4, 1935 in Hays, Kansas. He attended Leoville Rural Grade and High Schools and graduated with the class of 1953. After graduation, John attended St. Benedicts College and Fort Hays State College and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Fort Hays in 1960.
On December 15, 1969, John Karls and Helen Halbert Boultinghouse were married in Denver, Colorado. Upon marrying Helen, John became the father of six children adopting them all in the fall of 1978 and was a good father to them all. John and Helen lived in Oberlin, Kansas prior to moving to Selden in 1981. John followed the Karl’s family tradition to become the owner and manager of Karls Cash Store, a business his father August J. Karls started on June 23, 1921. John and Jacque worked together in the family business. Jacque has worked with John in the store for over 30 years
In his spare time, he farmed and raised cattle. John was a very community minded person serving as Mayor of Selden, was a County Commissioner, and worked to promote the community of Selden. When he was not working, John loved watching the news and was up on current events. He was a “historian,” and one could ask him anything about the Leoville and Selden Area. John and Helen loved to watch baseball, and basketball. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Selden.
John is survived by his wife, Helen of Oberlin; three daughters, Barbara Nelson of McPherson, Kansas, Jacque Boultinghouse of Selden, Robyn Mendiola of Lawrence, Kansas, and three sons, Shane Boultinghouse and wife Jill of Great Bend, Kansas, Shawn Boultinghouse and wife Charlena of Lawrence, Kansas, Bart Karls of Hays, Kansas; sister, Helen Jo Ochs and husband Henry of Hoxie, Kansas; 13 Grandchildren; 24 Great-Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents, August and Josephina Karls; brothers Winfrid Karls, Robert Karls, Joseph Karls; Sisters, Dolores Fleckenstein, Agnes Chvatal, Audrey Schroer; Sons-in-law, Ambrosia Mendiola and Ralph Nelson.
A Mass of Christian Burial is planned for Monday, June 4, 2018, 1:30 P.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Selden. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2018 from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Paul’s Funeral Home in Selden with a Vigil Service and Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. On Monday, June 4, 2018, from 9:00 A.M. until Noon there will be visitation at the funeral home in Selden. Memorials are suggested to the City of Selden and Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Selden. Online condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com
John was a hardworking man who never wanted to “put anyone out”. He loved to visit with people and was always willing to do whatever he could to help others. He had a deep love for his Lord Jesus Christ and family. He leaves his family the memories of a man who was hardworking, laid back, cared for others and his love of the Lord.