John Courtney Lechner, 77, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday, September 18, 2026 surrounded by family.

John was born October 13, 1948 in Washington, IA to William Norman ‘Bud’ and Patricia Jean (Flynn) Lechner. Better known as Kurt, he graduated from Washington High School in 1966. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. On July 28, 1973 he was united in marriage to Deborah Kathryn Ryan in Weller, IA.

After dedicating 22 years to Hollister Incorporated in Kirksville, rising through the ranks to become Plant Manager, he retired in 1996. A natural leader, his career was defined not just by his hard work, but by the deep, lifelong friendships he built along the way.

Following his retirement, he poured his love for sports, people, and collecting into High Five Sports Cards. He transformed the shop into a welcoming haven for the community, taking immense care in helping local kids and parents customize their letter jackets and hunt down their favorite sports memorabilia.

His devotion to sports went far beyond the shop. John was a diehard baseball fan who spent countless happy summer days attending St. Louis Cardinals games with his wife and his girls, creating memories that lasted a lifetime.

Beyond the ballpark, he was a man of simple pleasures and rich stories. He loved movies and books, especially Westerns, action, and tales of treasure hunting and adventure. He was an avid fisherman; a passion sparked in childhood by his father. Long after he hung up his fishing
rod, he loved recounting his favorite catches, from the 10-pound catfish he reeled in at age ten to the legendary "night of a thousand fish" spent with his son-in-law.

Above all, he cherished his family. He loved music and taking his wife by the hand to dance. He was fiercely proud of his grandchildren, rarely missing a chance to cheer them on at their games and activities.

John is survived by his wife Debbie of 53 years, three daughters, Katie (Bryan) Clay, Courtney (Adam) Meyerkorth, and Kelsy (Justin) Hamilton, seven grandchildren Rylan, Archer, Henry, Everett, Bertie, Hayden and Mason, three siblings, Patricia (Terry) Watson, Clare (Treg) Isaacson, Sara (Jack) Witt and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by both parents and sister Christine Ajzenman.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mary Immaculate Church on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Funeral services for John will follow at 11:00 at Mary Immaculate Church, and he will be laid to rest at Mary Immaculate Cemetery in Kirksville,

If you wish to honor John’s memory, in lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in loving tribute to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or the Adair County Public Library, two places that held a truly special place in our hearts. They may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.