John Francis Deeken, of Koeltztown, was born on December 14, 1937, near Argyle, in Maries County, a son of Henry Vincent and Elizabeth Mary (Redel) Deeken, and departed this life at 3:45 p.m., on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, in the University of Missouri Medical Center, Columbia. John had suffered from injuries sustained in a vehicular accident on September 28, 2016, and had been in the hospital since that time. He had attained the age of 78 years, 11 months, and 25 days.

John was united in marriage on January 14, 1961, at Freeburg, to the former Miss Lorine Frances Welschmeyer, and to this union, nine children were born. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorine, on November 19, 2010. John was also preceded in death by two sons, Lawrence Charles Deeken on November 7, 1977, and Thomas Paul Deeken on May 5, 2009; his father, Henry, on August 17, 1996; his mother, Elizabeth, on July 11, 1984; and five brothers, Anthony Deeken on November 20, 1938, Joseph Deeken on May 17, 1942, Henry Deeken, Jr. on July 9, 1968, Clemens Deeken on January 27, 1969, and Charles Deeken on December 14, 1999.

John was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown, and had been a lifelong farmer. Activities he especially enjoyed included, most importantly, being with his grandchildren, and after that, wildlife hunting, fishing, hunting for mushrooms, and farming.

Those left to mourn the passing of John include: Three sons, Leon Deeken and wife, Elaine, Ronnie Deeken, and Jeffery Deeken and wife, Amanda, all of Koeltztown; four daughters, Dianne Helton and husband, Gene, and Darla Helton and husband, Virgil, all of Vienna, and Priscilla Mengwasser and husband, Andy, and Mery Jaegers and husband, Devin, all of Koeltztown; eighteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harold Deeken and wife, Joann, of Meta, and David Deeken of Dixon; three sisters, Leona Busche of Holts Summit, Lucille Libbert of Laurie, and Frances Falter and husband, Clarence, of Argyle; nephews; nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.