Dr. John Edward Battitori, 86, of Girard, passed away at 7:09 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in the Girard Medical Center.
John was born Sept. 15, 1938, in West Mineral, Kansas, the son of Eddie and Jacquelene (Yagher) Battitori. He graduated from West Mineral High School in 1956 and Hutchinson Junior College, where he played football and received honorable mention in the Jayhawk Junior College Conference. He played football while attending Wichita State University and he attended Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State, and Oklahoma State.
On Jan. 21, 1961, John was united in marriage to Carol Francis, and she preceded John in death on April 20, 2022.
John was a social studies teacher and coach at Oakley, Kansas from 1961 until 1963, at Plainville, Kansas from 1963 until 1968, at Palco, Kansas from 1968 until 1970. He was a high school principal and superintendent at Coffeyville from 1970 until moving to Girard where he was superintendent from 1988 until 2000.
John was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Girard and on the executive board of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA), and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, and hunting arrowheads.
Survivors include his sons, Edward J. Battitori of McCune, Kansas and Tony F. Battitori, and his wife, Donna, of Joplin, Missouri. His daughters, Lisa C. Battitori of West Mineral, and Angela S. Battitori of Port Orchard, Washington. 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
His sister, Janet Ball of West Mineral.
A private funeral mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Girard with Fr. Daniel Vacca as celebrant. Burial will be in the Star Cemetery at West Mineral, Kansas.
The Rosary will be at 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at St. Michael Church in Girard where the family will receive friends until 8 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to St. Michael Catholic Church, and these may be left at the church or the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home 518 W. St. John St., P.O. Box 258 Girard, 66743.
Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com
