John Warren Sickles, 94, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Thursday evening, September 5, 2019 at Cumbernauld Village.

John, or Wid as most people in the community knew him, was born to Benjamin Elijah and Edna Luvada (McBeth) Sickles on the family farm a mile north of New Salem, Kansas on May 23, 1925. He was the youngest of seven children. His father died when Warren was two and he and his siblings were raised by their widowed mother. From a very young age, Warren and his brothers and sisters learned to work on the farm and as part of the family. God, work, and family were the center of Warren's life. He was raised in the new Salem community and educated at the New Salem School, later attending Winfield High School. Warren had to leave high school during his junior year in order to help his mother run the family farm when his brothers all went to fight in World War II. Education was important to Warren and he served on the C-3 school board for several years.

On October 17, 1954, Warren married Gloria L. Dunnell in the home of Gloria's parents in Mulvane, Kansas. The couple made their first home on the family farm with Warren's mother and continued to help her run the farm. Eventually, the couple moved a mile east of new Salem where they raised their six children and farmed until they "retired" from farming in 1976 and moved to Woodland Park, Colorado to "live their dream." In Woodland Park, Warren drove a school bus and worked as a mechanic for the bus barn. He was an active member of the Woodland Park Lions Club. In 1986, Warren and Gloria retired from retirement and returned to their farm just east of New Salem. After returning to their farm, Warren resumed limited farming and served the community as member of the Timber Creek Watershed Board and the New Salem Township Board. In addition to farming and community service, Warren loved bowling. He bowled in a bowling league for most of his adult life, both while living in Kansas and Colorado. Many of his closest friends were his "bowling buddies" and many of his fondest and funniest tales included their exploits. In 2008, Warren and Gloria sold their farm and moved to Winfield.

Soon after Warren and Gloria married, Warren became a member of the Church of Christ. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ in Winfield as well as the Church of Christ in Woodland Park, where he served as a deacon and as a Bible Class teacher. Warren was much loved by his church family. Many of the young people in the congregation and friends of the Sickles' children affectionately called him "Pop Sickles." Warren was a hardworking, Christian man who provided a strong example for his family and friends. He was always willing to help a neighbor in need and believed in living his faith. He was a faithful Christian husband, who loved his wife Gloria dearly.

Warren is survived by his wife Gloria L. Sickles of Winfield; his son Jeffery W. Sickles of Larned; three daughters, Janet Butler and husband, Norman of Burden; Jill DeRose of Denver, CO; and Jane Smith and husband, Christopher of Winfield; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 9 great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Warren was preceded in death by two sons, James Todd Sickles and John Benjamin Sickles, three sisters, Helen Rising, Thelma Sickles, and Edna Louise Wilson, and three brothers, Benjamin K. Sickles, Harley Sickles, and Gale Sickles.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Interment will follow at New Salem Cemetery.

Memorials have been established in Warren's name for the Flint Hills Christian Camp and for the Chimila Mission. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.