Dennis 'John' Pianalto

Sept. 10, 1939-Sept. 16, 2004

ATWOOD -- Dennis "John" Pianalto, 65 died Thursday (Sept. 16, 2004) in rural Atwood.

He was born Sept. 10, 1939, to George and Clara (Barenberg) Pianalto on the family farm. He attended grade school at the Hillside School District in rural Atwood and attended high school at Maur Hill in Atchinson, Kan, graduating in 1957.

On Nov. 22, 1958, he married Margaret Sullivan of Mercier, Kan. The couple lived and worked on a farm near Atwood.

He served as PFC in the Army Reserves for six years.

He served on the Soil Conservation Board and reported weather for the National Weather Service for 17 years. He was a bus driver for the Atwood School District for the past two years.

He was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Atwood, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 3033 of Atwood. He was also a 4th degree Knight of St. Pius X Assembly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Gene, Lester, Charles and Elmer; and four sisters, Lorine Bliss, Agnes Faimon, Georgene Kohler and Rita Antholz.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Atwood; five sons, Denis and wife, Barb of Wichita, Kan., Richard and wife, Lori of Evergreen, Colo., Gerald and wife, Helen of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Maurice and wife, Pam of Wasilla, Alaska and David of Scottsdale, Ariz.; one daughter, Judy of Spring, Texas; three brothers, Albert Pianalto and wife, Deanna of Chester, Va., Frank Pianalto of Edina, Mo., and Fred Pianalto and wife, Janice of Carlton, Minn.; five sisters, Marjorie Horinek and husband, A.J. of Atwood; Patricia Simoni and husband, Frank of St. Peter's, Mo., Betty Golwas, Shirley Price and husband, Eldon of Cottage Hills, Ill., and Linda Lattanzi and husband, Andrew of Boulder, Colo.; and 14 grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial is Monday, 10 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood with the Rev. Damian Richards officiating. Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Atwood.

A parish vigil and Knights of Columbus rosary will be said Sunday, 7 p.m., at Williams Funeral Home of Atwood.

Visitation is Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given in his name to the Retired Benedictine Clergy or to the Columbian Hall Fund of Atwood.

Williams Funeral Home of Atwood is in charge of the arrangements.