John Robert Schultze

John Robert Schultze, 84, of Ottawa, Kansas passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025 at his home.  He was born June 10, 1940 at Melvern, Kansas the son of Richard William and Evelyn Lorraine (Sumner) Schultze.

John grew up in Melvern, Kansas and graduated from Melvern Schools.  He attended Parsons Junior College and graduated from the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas where he earned his degree in Education.

John was a Teacher and Coached in Virgil, Kansas; Barneston, Nebraska; Burr Oak, Kansas; and Central Heights High School in Richmond, Kansas.  He taught 52 years before retiring.  He continued subbing after his retirement when he wasn’t on the golf course.

On August 23, 1964 John was united in marriage to Sharon Adams at Eureka, Kansas.  They shared over 60 years of marriage together.  John was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Ottawa, Kansas. 

John had a passion for teaching and coaching.  Many of his accomplishments were having the Central Heights Track and Field Complex named after him.  He was inducted into the Ring of Honor Award at Central Heights.  John was dedicated to his Cross Country and Track Teams through the years, his teams earning State Championships and John awarded Kansas State Cross Country Coach of the Year.  John was also awarded the Viking Award at Central Heights by his peers.  John and the 1967 Barneston High School Basketball Team were inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in Lincoln, Nebraska.

John is survived by his wife, Sharon, son, Todd Schultze and wife, Angela of Godfrey, Illinois; daughter, Denise Hiatt and husband, Mike of Ottawa, Kansas; son, Craig Schultze and wife, Kari of Ottawa, Kansas; grandchildren, Blake and wife, Haley, Chris, Ashea’, Cameron, Madyson, Alexis and Nicholas;  great-grandchildren, Daxton, Baylor, and Riggs;  brothers, Kerk Schultze and wife, Kathy of Waverly, Kansas, Darrel Schultze of Melvern, Kansas, and sisters, Carolyn Alexander and husband, George of Melvern, Kansas and Kathy Dewey and husband, John of Melvern, Kansas. 

Mr. Schultze was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Evelyn Schultze; brother, Dick Schultze; and sisters, Dorothy Brunner and Ruth Driver. 

To Celebrate Coach Schultze’s Life, the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 9th, 2025 at the Faith Lutheran Church, 1320 W. 15th Street, Ottawa, KS 66067.  A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10th, 2025 also at the Faith Lutheran Church in Ottawa, KS. A private family inurnment will be at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, KS.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that Donations be made to the Central Heights Cross Country Program or Central Heights Track Program or Faith Lutheran Church and sent c/o the Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067.  Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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