John (Poppy) Senior Lehman

John (Poppy) Senior Lehman, 94, of California, Mo., passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at the home of his daughter. John was born August 17, 1922, south of California on the family farm the only child of John and Ada (Senior) Lehman. He was united in marriage on September 9, 1946, to Ruby Henley in Wichita, Kan., and she preceded him in death in 2000. He was a 1940 graduate of California High School and aircraft sheet metal school. In 1941, he went to work for Boeing Aircraft building B-17 and B-29's. In 1944, he joined the Army AirCorps and was honorably discharged in 1945 following the conclusion of WWII. He worked at Putnam Chevrolet, Dan Hoppin Mercury-Lincoln, and Broom Body Shop before going into partnership with Layton Reed and opening Lehman-Reed Body Shop. Later in life he worked as a greeter at Bowlin-Cantriel and Windmill Ridge funeral homes. He volunteered as a deputy sheriff and fire fighter, serving as assistant fire chief for ten years. He was one of the first ordained deacons at First Baptist Church and taught Sunday School for several years. He was a member of Odd Fellows and was an Eagles 4027 charter member. John owned his own airplane for over 20 years and was the first pilot to solo flight out of Phillips Field east of California. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and was very proud of all his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He is survived by: one daughter, Judy (Darrell) Bolinger; four grandchildren, Angela (Jeff) Duvall, Alison Peters, Aaron (Stacey) Bolinger, Adam (Gretchen) Bolinger; thirteen great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by: his step-father, Wilbur H. Schlup; step-sister, Sue Chaffin; two infant grandchildren, Brian and Patricia Bolinger. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017, at First Baptist Church Sanctuary in California, Mo. Memorials are suggested to the California Nutrition Center or Central Missouri Honor Flight c/o Windmill Ridge Funeral Service, P O Box 443, California, Mo. 65018. Online messages of condolence to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com.