Johnnie May Brockway

Johnnie May Brockway was born on Friday, March 28, 1924, in Humbolt, Kansas. She was the daughter of John J. and L. Lavilla (Willhite) Mann. Johnnie lived in Topeka, Kansas, moving to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas in 1947, where she made her home until her death on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at the age of eighty-two years. Johnnie graduated from Olathe High School with the class of 1942. She attended Kansas University in Lawrence two and one-half years, from 1942 to 1946, where she fell in love with, and married, her former high school music teacher. Johnnie and Dr. S. Martin Brockway were united in marriage on June 17, 1946, in Olathe, Kansas. They were together more than fifty wonderful years. He preceded her in death on November 24, 1996. She was a devoted member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, where she sang in the choir for thirty-five years and was involved with the Mariners' Organization. She was also a member of Kansas Ornithological Society; Baldwin Bird Club; several square dance clubs, including, TNT; Nature Conservancy; Red Hat Society; and Rotary Ann's. Johnnie was a lovely lady. She was so good to people. She always had a smile and something nice to say to everyone. Johnnie was very active in the community, enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, traveling, working crossword puzzles, and bird watching. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. John Martin and Kris Brockway of Ottawa, James Earl and Beth Brockway of Ames, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Julie Danielle Schirmer, Renea Marie George, Daniel Grant Brockway, Deborah Grace Brockway, David Garth Brockway, Melissa Nicole Brockway, Margaret Marie Brockway, Patricia LeAndre Moore, Donald Dean Siders, II, and Cody Scott Dunyon. Mrs. Brockway is preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Sarah Sue Schirmer, Kathryn Ann Brockway; and sister, Lois Roath. SERVICES: Mrs. Brockway was cremated. A Memorial Celebration will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ottawa at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2006.