John Elwood Selk passed peacefully on April 23, 2018 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family and closest friends.
He had suffered a series of strokes and chose hospice care for comforting closure to a life well lived.
John was born August 3, 1949 to William Elwood Selk and Mary Anne Severin in Boulder, Colorado. John grew up in Axtell and Seneca, Kansas and attended the University of Kansas. He was a licensed professional land surveyor and civil engineer for the Kansas Department of Transportation in his early career.
He married his college sweetheart Sally Jane Harshaw in 1974 and together they had son Benjamin William and daughter Hannah May. Sally died unexpectedly in 1986. In 1987 John joined families with Christina Louise Jordan and her daughter Kellen Suzanne, and together they had son Jordan Daniel.
John became a principle with Landplan Engineering, P.A. where he worked in surveying, traffic engineering and land development until he retired in 2010. After retirement, John enjoyed driving vehicles for Dale Willey and Crown Motors and doing traffic engineering consulting.
Through many ups and downs, John and Christina enjoyed a happy reconciliation in his last months.
John is survived by Christina, his children, and three grandchildren, Addyson, Evelyn and Trip. He is also survived by his aunt Marjean Severin Moore and her family and his cousin Steve Grothjan and his family.
John was a “rock”, genuine, patient and true family man, an avid golfer, and his motto was the same as his father’s “live life!”
Services will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 1 pm at Rumsey Yost Funeral Chapel, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Memorials are requested in his name to Visiting Nurses, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
After moving away and just hearing of the passing of John, I looked back on what a mentor that he was to me. He will be missed by all. My prayers and condolences are with the family.
Chris- want to wish you love and warm thoughts. So very sad for the loss of John, but so glad you were able to spend his last days together
Christina and all of the Selk children and grandchildren we are so very sorry to hear of John’s passing. Mike and I were both classmates of John graduating in 1967 from St. Peter and Paul High School here in Seneca, Kansas. We too have fond memories of John and his friendly and courteous manner always. May you all find comfort at this time and the future with many fond memories as we have of him. It is hard to lose another classmate as we just celebrated our 50th in 2017. Our sincerest condolences to you all.
Christina and family, my memories of John are of a kind, considerate man who always greeted me with a smile. Our work (mine with the city and his with Landplan) brought us together many times over the past 40 years on a professional level. John was always professional, considerate of other’s opinions, and an excellent representative of his clients. He was also always happy to share what adventures/travails his kids were having. We compared notes many times! I hadn’t seen John for nearly 3 years when a chance meeting at Hy-vee last year gave us the opportunity to catch up on life, family, health, and the state of things in Lawrence politics! We spoke then about how many good friends were gone now and how grateful we were for shared memories we had of them. My hope for you and your family is that good memories and happier times together will sustain you during the grieving process.
Christina, Ben, Hannah, Kellen and Jordan,
I was so sorry to hear about John….Cherish the wonderful memories….My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you.
Our condolences to the Selk’s family on the passing of John from your old neighbors Abe & Carolyn Rezayazdi. We are sorry for your loss. John was a fine gentleman and he will be missed.
He was too young to leave us. We will be out of town on his funeral day but our thoughts are with you and your family.
To the Selk family, sending thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. John was a wonderful person and loved by many. He will be missed but he is at peace now.
Thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time, I am very sorry for your loss. John was a wonderful guy and he will be missed. I have many good memories of him and it was always very nice when he came up to visit. May he rest in peace, and best wishes to your family.
Christina, Family & Friends
Our thoughts are with you and your family with the passing of John.
Will always have fond memories
of him in the classroom and on the basketball court. It was a pleasure knowing and growing up with him in Seneca.
May he be at peace and be in good hands.
Terry & Cheryl Osterhaus
Lakewood, Colorado
Christina, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your loss. Our journey on Earth, even in painful times, can be rich as we are surrounded with wonderful memories and loving family. I am sending you peace and blessings from my heart to yours. I am sorry I can’t be there Saturday as I will be out of town, but please know I am there in spirit.