John David Koenig was born November 14, 1938, in Lincoln, Nebraska to Gus and Dorothy Koenig.  John was the youngest of five children, and with four older sisters that spoiled him unconditionally: Virginia, Joan, Shirley, and Gretchen.  John attended Lincoln High School until the opening of Lincoln Southeast High School.  John was part of the Class of ’56, the first graduating class and helped design the Lincoln Southeast “Sheild”.

After graduation, John joined the United States Marine Corps.  John completed Basic Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Combat Training at Camp Pendelton in Oceanside, California.  After his training, John was stationed at Naval Air Station Kodiak at Kodiak Island, Alaska.  John spent his service time in Alaska as base security; John’s service to his country was something he held as a personal pride until the end of his life.

After serving his time in the Marine Corps, John returned home to Lincoln and met Ann Jones, the love of his life and affectionally referred to her as Annie-O.  John and Ann met on a blind date that was set by two mutual friends.  Quickly, the two started a family welcoming Jennifer, John’s only daughter, and then John David the second, his namesake and first-born son.  Just when they thought their family was complete and nearly nine years later came their last son, Christian, who like John was the youngest and spoiled unconditionally.

John worked as a salesman for most of his life.  He worked for companies with common transportation markets and various departments of roads companies like Lincoln Steel, Capital Steel, and All Roads Supply.  The life of a traveling salesman came with its challenges and later in life John found his second set of friends in Alcoholics Anonymous.  John’s sobriety saved his life, and he successfully completed 33 years of sobriety on December 6, 2024.

John was an avid sporting man.  His passions were hunting with his two sons and close friends over the years, annual fishing trips with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to Minnesota, Lake Erie and Canada. He loved baseball, specifically the Cleveland Indians, treating his wife, children, and grandchildren to many Indians games.

John passed away peacefully on Friday, May 2, 2025, with his family nearby.  John is preceded in death by his parents Gus & Dorothy Koenig; sisters, Virginia Robinson, Joan Oblonsky, and Shirley Kulawik.  John is survived by his wife, Ann Koenig; sister, Gretchen Fitzpatrick of Topeka, KS; daughter, Jennifer and James Heck of Lincoln, NE; sons, John and Angela Koenig of Fremont, NE, Christian and Misty Koenig of Lincoln, NE.  John is also survived by six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Good night, sweet prince.

Visitation is Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 9, 2025, at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln, NE 68510.

Memorials may be donated to Toys for Tots HERE.