John William Machin

John William Machin III, age 74, of Riley, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2015 at his home. He was born on January 6, 1941 in Wamego, Kansas, the son of John William Machin, Jr. and Ruth Elizabeth (Burgess) Machin. On April 13, 1963 he was united in marriage to Janice Grater. She survives of the home. He was a 1959 graduate of Manhattan High School. After completing four years of Apprentice School he became a Journeyman electrician and in 1965 won The Outstanding Electrical Apprentice of the State of Kansas award. Early in his career he was Central Plains Branch Manager for Amelco Electric in Topeka, Kansas. Along with his father he owned Acker Electric in Manhattan, Kansas for many years. Acker Electric installed the first permanent football lights at the KSU Football Stadium in 1983 and completed other various jobs at Fort Riley, KSU campus, and the surrounding areas. John served his country in the United States Navy as an Electrician’s Mate and was honorably discharged in 1965. He was a member of the American Legion Pearce-Keller Post #17 and former member of Manhattan Bowling Association, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). John loved spending time with his family and friends. He had a lifelong interest in cars and drag racing, especially 1963 MOPAR’s. Highlights were winning the Production Stock class at the June 1963 AHRA 1/8 mile Nationals in Springfield, Illinois, the AHRA ¼ Mile World Drag Racing Championships in Green Valley, Texas in September 1963, and the 2005 Heartland Park Sportsman Class Championship. He enjoyed participating in the Wamego Area Chrysler Enthusiasts (WACE) car club. Over the years he enjoyed bowling and camping. He also enjoyed traveling with the Kaw Valley State Bank Heritage Club Travel Group out of Wamego, Kansas of which a highlight was a cruise to Hawaii celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. He was an avid KSU fan and enjoyed attending and following Wildcat sporting events. In addition to his wife, immediate survivors include two children, Marcia Annan and husband Bill of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Matt Machin and wife Rhonda of Riley, Kansas; four grandchildren, Trent Annan, Grant Annan, Makayla Machin and Mitchell John Machin; two sisters, Mary Hemphill of Manhattan and Margi Barber and husband Bob of San Marcos, California and many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father John William Machin, Jr. and mother Ruth Elizabeth (Burgess) Machin Draheim. A memorial service will be held at 10:30am Friday, January 16, 2015 at the Sedalia Community Church with Pastor Kevin Larson officiating. The visitation will be on Thursday, January 15, 2015 from 6 – 8:00 P.M. at the Sedalia Community Church Annex. Burial with military honors will be in the Grandview-Mill Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials have been established for the American Diabetes Association, the American Lung Association, the Sedalia Community Church and the T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter in Manhattan, Kansas. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, Kansas. Condolences may be left at www.pfeifleyfuneralhome.com.