John Charles Spainhour, age 60, passed away on January 20, 2026. Born on October 29, 1965, in Kingman, Kansas, he was the son of the late Con R. and Barbara Ann (Beers) Spainhour, formerly of Cheney.

Raised in Kingman and Greensburg, John was a third-generation graduate of Greensburg High School. In his youth, he took great pride in operating the film projectors at the Twilight Theatre, a community legacy founded by his great-grandfather, Charles. John attended his parents' alma mater, the University of Kansas before serving six years in the United States Navy. As a nuclear propulsion plant operator-mechanic on the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), John served with distinction, earning the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy "E" Ribbon, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

John, a talented mechanic who loved working on all things mechanical, found great joy in his work and was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. He valued his connections with old high school friends, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

John is survived by his children, Chelsa (Cody) Piland, Kristen (Dalton) Doyle, Benjamin Spainhour, and Kathryn Spainhour; his grandchildren, Peyton, Delilah, and Harper; his siblings, Sara (Robert) Jones, Julia (Rebecca) Spainhour, Kathryn (Russell) Neuenschwander, Martha (Scott) Lehner, Sam (Cari) Spainhour, and Suzanne (Brian) Gentry; and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Con and Barbara Spainhour; a sister, Elisabeth Spainhour; and a nephew, Con Walsh.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life on April 18, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Garden Plain Senior Center, 1006 N Main Street, Garden Plain, Kansas. A private interment will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Greensburg.