Dr. John S. Dienst

BENTON -  Dr. John S. Dienst, 83, passed away January 27, 2015, at Asbury Park of Newton, Kansas.  He was born June 16, 1932, at Coffeyville, Kansas.  He was the son of Eugene S. and Ruby M. (Matlock) Dienst.  He was a graduate of Coffeyville High School.  On September 29, 1951, he was united in marriage to Sharilyn Dee McCoy in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  In 1955, received his Doctorate from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee.  He started his practice in Girard, Kansas.  In 1960, he moved his family to Wichita, Kansas.  He provided optometric care the Wichita and Newton areas for over 50 years.  He was a member of Palmyra Baptist Church.  His hobbies included:  raising and training bird dogs, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, carpentry, wood and stone carving, oil painting, playing various musical instruments, building and flying remote control airplanes, building and using various campers and boats, and raising cats, dogs and various livestock.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharilyn in 2006, and a his daughter, Dinah in 2008.  He is survived by his sons:  John D. Dienst and his wife Carol of Arlington; Jeremy B. Dienst and his wife Cinda of Valley Center; and James H. Dienst and his wife Judy of Robins AFB, Georgia; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.  A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 18, 2016, at Columbus Avenue Church of Christ in Newton, with Pastor Buddy Aldridge presiding.  Inurnment will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, at Green Valley Cemetery, Furley.  Memorial Funds have been established for St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Children’s Miracle Network in care of Lamb Funeral Home, 120 S Main, Whitewater, KS, 67154.  Online Condolences may be left at:  www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com.