John Wyss    Walter John Wyss II, 63, of Columbia, died on Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, in Columbia.    A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 1:15 p.m. at Broadway Christian Church, 2601 West Broadway in Columbia. Rev. Kim Ryan and Rev. Jacob Thorne will officiate. The family will greet friends after the service.    Mr. Wyss was born on Oct. 6, 1945, in Mexico, a son of Walter John and Veda Catherine (Atkins) Wyss. He graduated from Mexico High School. He received an Associate Degree in Business from Hannibal-LaGrange College, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Missouri State College. He also attended Lexington Theological Seminary.    On March 21, 1969, he married Barbara Jean Boedeker in Warrensburg. Mrs. Wyss survives at the home.     He worked in specialized maintenance for the public school system, most recently with the Columbia Public Schools where he had worked for 17 years. He was a member of the Broadway Christian Church where he had served as a Deacon; He also was active in the Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association and the Osage Steam Engine Association. He enjoyed playing bluegrass music with friends.    In addition to his wife, a daughter, Renée Wyss, Columbia; two brothers, Fred Wyss, Columbia, and Tim Wyss, Mexico; and one sister, Ann Barone, Columbia, survive.    Memorials may be made to the Broadway Christian Church, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association or Community Hospices of America.

Public Tributes and Expressions of Sympathy Barb and Renee, I hold you both in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord give you the strength during this time of sorrow and grief. I am very thankful I was able to meet both John and Barb this pat summer in Philly. Don Murray Augusta, Ga John you were a wonderful kind man. I am so lucky to have known you and that you called me friend.I am so happy to have the memories of our day in Philly. Being your friend was an honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life. RIP I love you. Stacey Cain Tim, I was sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Alberta and Larry Lochridge Barb I'm sorry for your loss. John was a pleasure to be around and I'm sure he will be missed by many. I pray that you will be blessed with fond memories of your life together and share them with your friends. Your friend Jeff Pewitt Barb, So sorry to hear about John. He was a very humble man, a hard worker and we were proud to call him our friend. We are certainly going to miss him. I know he is in a better place and may God give you strength. Ed and Mary Hall I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I got to know him while working with him at CPS. He seemed such a kind and gentle soul. He would show pictures taken of the family and the happiness in his eyes was all the words needed. Kate Porterfield Barb and Renee, our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Kevin and I had the pleasure of meeting John and you Barb in Philly this past summer. John has always been an inspiration to all of us in group. He always had a kind word to say and he always had the best advice to give. He will be truly missed. --Kevin and Adrian Starke Barb and Family.. John will be truly missed by all of us in our group. He always had a kind word to say and always went out of his way to make one of us laugh or find the positive in things.. He was a very kind man. I am sorry I never met him in person but I felt like I knew him anyway.. You are in my prayers and thoughts in this time. ``` Jeannie Walters Barb & Renee....I am so sad that I couldn't make it to the Philly trip this past year to meet John and Barb. He is truly one of the kindest people I have ever had the chance to talk to. He offered so many kind words, and advice during my divorce this past year. We talked about your bluegrass cruises, and the fact that I loved cruises, and bluegrass music...(i am a clogger). Everyone in our group will miss his sweetness and wisdom. ----Cora - Braintree, VT Barb and Family; I will be in prayer for you at this time of loss,even though we know that John is in a better place. I worked with John at Columbia Public Schools for years until I retired in 2002. He was a great friend, and was always there when ever I had questions about ANYTHING. He will be missed greatly. Mike Gilpin Dear Barb and family, I was shocked to read the obituary for John in the Mexico Ledger. It took me a moment to realize it was YOUR John. Alan and I so admired him and he was truly a kind and peaceful man that we would call friend. I remember when you two were at the Paris Old Threshers event selling tickets for the tractor raffle...what a fun day and lovely chance to visit with the two of you also. We have been away from Broadway since we moved to Paris four years ago, but we definitely think of the two of you when we talk of our friends at Broadway. May God send special blessings to all of you, we know he will be on of the sweet angels helping our Father. Alan and Jan Smiley Carter in Paris, MO Barb and Renee, Although I didn't have the pleasure of meeting John (or you two) in person, I feel I really knew him. I called him "Dad" and I miss him already. As the others have said, he always found the silver lining in every situation and always took the time to reach out to whoever needed his kindness and wisdom. He had a heart of gold and is a true inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. He will truly be missed by so many. ~Denyce Taillac, Lake Forest, CA Dear Barb & family, We are so sorry for your loss. John was a good and kind man,he will be missed by many.We hope the grief healing process will come easier to you knowing John will be with his Lord and Savior. We are blessed having known John. Jerry & Mary Gray Barb, I was saddened to learn of John's passing. He was an interesting person to talk to. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. John Doyle Barb, we were very sorry to hear of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. John will be very much missed. We really thought a lot of him and so very talented. Our sincerest sympathy to you and your family. Kelley and Mary Shoemaker, California, MO, MRVSEA Renee, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. May this verse from John 11 provide some comfort to you. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Barb Buchanan and family. I met John through the Columbia Public Schools. He would walk by my music room and stop to listen. He just loved music. Eventually he came into my room when we were studying guitars and he would show the students his many guitars and they were fascinated by him and his knowledge. We will truly miss him. Judy Brown

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