John Raymond Birzer

John Raymond Birzer, 72, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, November 8, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa. The Rosary will be held at 5:00 P.M., Sunday, November 7, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa, followed by a visitation for family and friends from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa. John was born June 6, 1949, at Ottawa, the son of John Rudolph and Phyllis (Fowler) Birzer. He lived in Topeka, Kansas for several years, living most of his life in Franklin County, Kansas. He graduated from Pomona High School with the Class of 1968. After graduation, John served in the United States Navy during Vietnam as a mechanic. Upon his return, he attended Topeka Technical School for mechanics. For most of John’s life he worked as a mechanic also helping on the family farm. He was employed as a mechanic by Martin Tractor in Topeka for several years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa; Knights of Columbus Council 3018, Ottawa; American Legion Post #1 in Topeka; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 5901 of Ottawa. John enjoyed working and tinkering on anything mechanical, taking care of the animals on the farm, riding his motorcycles and driving his 1956 F-100. He never knew a stranger and loved spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his father and brother Franz Birzer. Survivors include his mother Phyllis Birzer of Ottawa; son Bruce Byron Birzer (Anita) of Ottawa; four siblings, Lisa Goedken of Conception Junction, Missouri, Bibiana Zweig of Topeka, Deidre Birzer of Topeka, and Celia Jardon (Bob) of Leavenworth, Kansas; three grandchildren, David Birzer (Shyanna) of Ottawa, Drew Birzer and fiancée Madi Vance, and Shane Birzer of Ottawa; and four great-grandchildren, Dennis, Daisy, Jaxson, and Sarah Birzer. The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart Catholic Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.