John Joseph Male
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John Joseph Male, 92, passed away on February 12, 2025. John was born March 10, 1932, to Charles and Kathryn (Massman) Male in Kansas City, Missouri. John was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, sibling and friend to many. He graduated from Rockhurst High School in 1949, where he was a member of the state champion football team and in 1953, he graduated from Rockhurst College.
John married Kathryn Kretschmer, his first wife, in 1953. The newlyweds settled in Kansas City. During these years, John was employed with TWA as an accounting specialist and Kraft Foods as a sales product representative. He then began his career with IBM and was transferred to South Bend and Cincinnati as a branch manager. Together with Kathryn, John was blessed with eight children. Living for 10 years in South Bend was a highlight as John was a #1 Notre Dame fan and season ticket holder.
After transferring back to Kansas City, John began his career as Vice President of Commercial Real Estate with Eisenberg, then Lasala-Sonnenberg, joining then Legacy Real Estate and retiring from Area Real Estate Advisors.
After the passing of Kathryn, John married Cheryl Cordes in 2000 and became a beloved stepfather to Cheryl’s three children. John and Cheryl resided in Leawood, Kansas and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary January 8, 2025. They have shared many family times building precious memories together.
John’s laugh, sense of humor and conversational style will be missed by all. His smile, caring and generous spirit, and beautiful blue eyes will always bless our memories. When meeting John, you wanted to become his friend and to know John was to love him.
John always looked forward to meeting with the “Rockhurst 12” for their luncheons where many of their past hijinks were relived. He would remind the guys that the “Male man always delivered!”
John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Kathryn Male, his first wife, Kathryn, his brother, Charles and his sisters, Mary Catherine Winston and Jean Collins.
John is survived by his wife, Cheryl Cordes Male, his sister Elizabeth Dugan, and his eight children, Susan Chappell, John Male Jr. (Glee Peters), Chuck Male (Sosie), Tom Male, Mary Katherine Caffrey (David), Bob Male (Melissa), Peggy Male Lowe, and Patty Love (Scott) and his step-children, Christen Schmeltz (Trace), Cathryn Linney (Jay), and Bradley Cordes (Cynthia).
John’s life was greatly enriched by his 33 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and his faithful love for his Heavenly Father.
In celebration of John’s life, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Cure´of Ars Catholic Church, February 26 at 10:30 a.m., following a wake at 9:00 a.m. and praying of the Rosary at 10:15 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Doctors Without Borders or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Morning John, Jr. — Such a Lovely Obituary about Your Father — He had a Good Life. May He rest in Peace.
Cathy and Mike
I knew John as a Marketing Manager at IBM. He was a curmudgeon on the outside, but a heart of gold on the inside. I loved watching the dogs lick the spatula while he was grilling burgers in the back yard with that winning smile of his. All of my memories of John are good ones, as he spent his life making other people happy!
I have nothing but great memories and respect for John. He will be missed but never forgotten. I worked with him for 7 years at Eisenberg and collaborated with him on very various business matters for many years after. He was a no nonsense guy and we always had a good laugh when we were together solving the world’s problems. My condolences to his wonderful family.