Age 87, Lawton - Funeral services will be 9:30 AM Monday at the Becker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Chaplain (MAJ) Andrew Choi officiating. John departed this life after lengthy health problems on April 28, 2010 at a local hospital. Burial with full military honors will be at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM Sunday at the funeral home. During his lifetime John wore many hats, son, brother, soldier, husband, father, federal civil servant, father-in-law, grandfather and a dedicated WWII veteran to his community, state and nation. John E. Kilgus was born an Indiana Hoosier in Boston, Indiana to Garnet Olive (King) Kilgus and Carl Anthony Kilgus on February 16, 1923. His father was the head machinist on the C & O Railroad in Boston, Indiana. At that time employees were provided box cars made in to homes to live in. That is where John was born, in a box car. John was born the middle child in a family of four sisters and two brothers. In his younger years he was called "Whitey" because his hair was so blonde. John attended St. Andrews Catholic School, Hibberd Jr. High and Morton Sr. High in Richmond, Indiana. He completed his G.E.D. in the military. May 20, 1940 at the age of 17 years John joined the Army Air Corps 7th Calvary Det., Fort Knox, Kentucky. Four in his family served in World War II, his father, older brother, younger brother and John. The youngest and the oldest from Wayne County, Indiana. They all served and all came home. John's duty stations were all over the United States, helping build air fields and air strips. Then to China, Burma, India, Mariana Islands and Okinawa. John was on Tinian Island when the Enola Gay left for Japan. Served 1942 to 1944. When John returned to the United States he attended the Chicago Trades Institute. Once again the military life called. John rejoined the Army Air Corps and later changed to the United States Army. John was stationed at Madigan Army Hospital, Fort Lewis Washington near Tacoma, Washington. John met Emily M. Kline in Tacoma. They were married in 1951. From this marriage two children were born, a son, Mark and a daughter, Denise. His duties at this time took him to school at Fort Eustis, VA back to Fort Lewis, Washington to St. Louis MO and Atlanta, GA. In 1954 the family was at Camp Hanford Washington. In 1955 the whole family went to Europe for three years, 1955 - 1958. John was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He took up residence and became an OKIE in 1959. In 1960 the family was once more on the go. This time for three years, 1960 - 1963 to Camp Zama, Japan. The family returned to Fort Sill, OK. John went on to his new duty station at White Sands Proving Grounds. He traveled home when it was possible. John was later sent back to Fort Sill where he completed his military years. John retired June 14, 1965 from the United States Army after 20 years and 6 months of service. After retirement, John went to work for Civil Service at Fort Sill as the Maintenance Coordinator at the old Reynolds Army Hospital in 1966. John remained in that position until his health failed in 1981 and he was forced to retire once again. At that time he had a combined total of 35 ½ years of federal service. John's health problems didn't keep him from helping his community, state and nation. John served as a board member of the J. D. McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities in Norman, OK. Traveling each month to the meetings and completed 25 years of service. John served under four different directors 1969 - 1998. John was elected as National 40et8, Chef de Chemin de Fer he served the 1976 - 77 year. He later served as Director of the 40et8 National Box Car Association for 4 years. He was made 40et8 National Box Car Emeritus after his service. John is also a life member of the 40et8. At the time of his death he is the oldest living 40et8 National Chef de Chemin de Fer's Passe. John has served with the veteran's and other organizations for years, faithfully. He was Comanche County Veteran's Council Chairman (President) four years from 1983 - 1986. John and others worked daily to obtain a veteran's clinic for southwest Oklahoma, Lawton and Fort Sill area. Mission was completed, however it took years to get the job done. The Lawton/Fort Sill Outpatient clinic opened in 1995. Many of the service organizations that function in this community today were touched by his dedicated hands and mind. John, at age 72 served as club president of La Sill Optimist Club in Lawton 94 - 95. During his tenure the club bought a clubhouse and many of the members did a complete remodel on it. John is a life member of La Sill Optimist Club. John is a life member of the 40et8 and holds his membership with the local 40et8 Voiture 1138, Fort Sill, OK. John is a life member of the American Legion 193, Fort Sill, OK. He has over 67 years of continous membership. John is also a member in good standing with the D.A.V. Chapter 56 and V.F.W. Post 5263. John has been a resident of the Lawton community since 1959. For a man of 87 years, John has put his talents given to good use and left this world a better place than he found it. May God rest his soul. John is survived by his wife, Emily of 59 years, son, Mark, daughter, Denise, son-in-law, David, grandchildren, Tiffany and Heather Maxwell, Colorado, his youngest sister Mary Jo Jeffers, Richmond, Indiana, sister-in-law, Dorothy Kilgus, Fort Wayne, Indiana, many nieces, nephews, friends and Comrades in Arms. John was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Garnet Kilgus, stepmother, Simone Kilgus, older brother Carl "Rowdy" Norman Kilgus, younger bother, Charles Wesley Kilgus and three sisters, Margaret Cusmano, Eileen Weldon and Evelyn Nowles. Memorial contributions may be made to a veterans organization of your choice or to The J. D. McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities, 2002 E. Robinson Street, Norman, OK 73071. An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com