Dr. John J. Streck

 Dr. John J. Streck, 93, Hays, died Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

He was born in Russell, KS, on June 7, 1922, the son of Jacob and Lena (Berscheur) Streck.  He graduated from Russell High school in 1940 and went on to the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City where he earned his dental degree in 1944. While in the army, 150 men were selected to have their education paid for and receive medical and dental training.  John was chosen to study and graduated as a Dentist and Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon.

John was drafted into the army in 1941 and later went on to serve and practice as a surgeon during the Korean War in the 8055 Mobile Army Surgical Unit or MASH hospital units, at the 39th parallel near Seoul, South Korea.  Following that, he served in Japan, coming home to the U.S. in 1954.  All in all, John spent a total of 11 years in the military serving his country, and was awarded 10 medals of Honor, including the Silver Star.          

John married Norma Jean Kelsch of Ellis, KS on August 15th, 1948.  The newlyweds then moved to Hays where John set up his dental practice for 54 years.   They have been married for 68 years.

Dr. Streck was a renaissance man and an inventor, whose first important work was the invention of wiring jaws and facial bones together while he was in the Army.  John was an accomplished artist who enjoyed photography, sculpting and painting and exhibited his works at the Hays Arts Council, Fort Hays State University, and other local, regional and statewide venues. John was a published author, his first book called “Nakagima House”; he had two other books in the works at the time of his death.  John was a history buff and avid hunter and sports fisherman, as well as an avid KU and Wichita State basketball fan.  He was past President for the Kansas ADA, and also was elected to the Hays USD 489 School Board, serving on it for 9 years, and as President of the school board for 2 of those years.  John was also active in the American Legion, Rotary, Shriners, Elks and Lion’s Clubs.

He is survived by his wife Norma, of the home, four daughters; Stephanie Streck Watson, Leawood, KS, Carla Streck Perez and husband Jim, McKinney, TX, Susan Streck Moss, Norwalk, CT, and Lisa Streck Dunn, Houston,TX, ten grandchildren; Andrew Richard Watson, Prairie Village, KS, Brittany Erin  Moss, New York, NY, Robert Allen Moss Jr., Norwalk, CT and Tyler Jacob Moss, Norwalk, CT, Sara Thomason Breeze, Honolulu, HI, Lyndsay Thomason Watts, Lake Jackson, TX, Kelly Anne Thomason, Tacoma, WA, and  Jordan Brett Vargas, Corpus Christi, TX, Ashley Michelle Boultinghouse, Kansas City, KS, Audra Perez, McKinney, TX, and four great grand-children; TayShawn, Lilyauna, Coral, and Caleb.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Lena Streck, his only  brother Herman Streck, and his 7 sisters; Thelma Mai, Marie Honomichael, Mae Barclay, Dottie Dumler, Viola Bodenhammer, Mildred Haselhorst, and Lillian Craig.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort Street, Hays.  Burial with Military Honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard and Hays American Legion Riders will be at 2:00 pm in the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas.  Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street and from 9:30 am until service time on Wednesday at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Fort Hays State University or to the Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com