J.B. Coufal

J.B. Coufal, 80, Hanover, died Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Hanover. Visitation is Thursday September 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hanover Mortuary. A vigil service is 7 p.m., Thursday, at St. John's Catholic Church in Hanover. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m., Friday, September 24, at St. John's Catholic Church in Hanover. Father Joseph Kieffer will officiate. Janet Fritschi is organist. Music is “Ave Maria,” “Amazing Grace,” “Panis Angelicus” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Pallbearers are Drew Obermeyer, Caleb Obermeyer, Cameron Knox, Marty Coufal, Nick Brockman, Jesse Perez and Barry Riggert. Burial is in the church cemetery. John Bernard (J.B.) Coufal was born July 22, 1941 on the family Homestead with the help of a mid wife, his grandma Minna Minder, the son of John V and Irene M. (Minder) Coufal. He graduated from Hanover High School in 1959 and Kansas State University, in 1961. On June 1, 1963 he married his high school sweetheart Donna L. Riggert at St. John’s Catholic Church. To this union 2 daughters were born, Peg and Jane. J.B. was a devout Catholic who loved being part of the church family. He was a 4th Degree Knight, a Mason at the Marysville Masonic Lodge and an Arab Shriner. J.B. started working at the Hanover News setting type and printing the paper when he was in Jr in High School. In 1966, he began working for the Lawrence Journal world until he left there to come home to farm with his father and brother while also working at the Pony Express Truckstop. He couldn’t stay away from the newspaper business long and began working for the Marysville Advocate, followed by the Topeka Capital Journal. Following retirement from the newspaper business he went back to the Pony all while doing what he loved - farming on the farm that’s been in the family for over 100 years. He enjoyed his grandchildren Drew Obermeyer, Christa (Obermeyer) Knox, Caleb Obermeyer, Shelby (Brockman) Perez, Nick Brockman & Vickie (Brockman) Cardenas. Preceeding him in death are his parents; brother, Jerry Coufal; sister, LeAnn Barba; brother-in-law, Jack Barba; Sisters-in-law, Bernita Mayfield and Leola Riggert. Survivors include his wife Donna, Hanover; daughters, Peg (Kurt) Obermeyer, Marysville; Jane (Hank) Brockman, Home; brother, Tom (Diane) Coufal; sisters, Patsy(Carl) Shrontz and Dorothy (Bill) Smith, brother in law, Orville (Lynn) Riggert; grandchildren Drew, Christa, Caleb, Vicki, Shelby and Nick; multiple nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. Dad always gave 100% no matter what he was doing. He always had a smile and he never knew a stranger. A memorial fund is established and will be designated at a later time. Contributions may be sent in care of Hanover Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of J.B. Coufal, please visit our flower store.