John Salvador DeHerrera

John Salvador DeHerrera was born the youngest of 6 children to Carmelita Marie Naranjo and John Francis DeHerrera in Pueblo, Colorado on November 1, 1955. John peacefully passed away on July 28, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

John started his journey in the public school system in Pueblo, Colorado. He made a lot of long-lasting friendships that he kept in touch with until the end. He cherished each one with all his heart.

Once he graduated from Centennial High School, John answered the call to serve his country. He proudly enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era, where he demonstrated honor, courage and dedication. Before he completed boot camp, he married his high school sweetheart Loretta Salas. His service to our country was a source of great pride to him and laid the foundation for the strong, disciplined and compassionate man he would become.

They had a boy, John Don (which he always called John Boy) before they were transferred to Hawaii. Once there, a daughter was born, Diane Lynn (which he always called Diana Lynnskis). They lived in Hawaii for 3 years. John reenlisted for another 3 years and was shipped back to the mainland. He did a tour in Germany before he was honorably discharged. From there he moved his family to Leadville, Colorado where he worked in the Climax mine. In 1982, he moved his family to Garden City, Kansas to work at IBP beef packing.

John and Loretta divorced. While working at IBP he met Mary Jane Jones and from the first moment they met, they were inseparable. They married on December 1, 1984 in Garden City, Kansas. He helped raise her two children from a previous marriage, Danielle and Lucas.

We blended our family and decided to move to Wyoming, Michigan to work for Sara Lee. John always dreamed of being his own boss and thanks to our best friends Terry and Sindia Narber, John was able to see his dream realized. Around the Clock Handyman Services was born. Anyone who knew John, knows he was a very social person, he never saw a stranger. John was given the opportunity to work part-time for a security company (DK Security) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He jumped at the chance. He led a variety filled full life. When we retired, we moved back to Kansas to be closer to family.

We raised our family, watched them go out on their own, become parents and make us grandparents to 14 beautiful grandchildren, which were also blended. As time went on, we became great-grandparents to so far, 7 and one on the way happy and healthy great grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, his older brother Conrad Antony, his grandson Billy Vanderwater brother in-law Mika Baca and his in-laws Robert and Mary Lou Jones.

He is survived by his wife Mary of the home, his son John Don of Alamosa Colorado, daughter Diane Lynn Vanderwater(Larry McCord)of Raton New Mexico, daughter Danielle(Bret) Biller of Wyoming Michigan, son Lucas of Topeka Kansas. His Aunt Mable (Larry) Rael of Fort Garland Colorado and Aunt Emma Gonzalez of Del Norte Colorado. His sisters Leona (Marvin) Persohn of Eugene Oregon, Virginia Baca of Pueblo Colorado, Florence and (Rodger) Romero of Pueblo Colorado and brother Bob and (Caryl) DeHerrera of California and many nieces and nephews.

His Aunt Mable (Larry) Rael of Fort Garland Colorado and Aunt Emma Gonzalez of Del Norte Colorado.

His grandchildren: Cynthia, Aden, Alyssa, Addison, Jonathan, Zayden, Elizabeth, Destiny, Maranda, Britni, Blake, Justin, and Ryan.

His great-grandchildren: Issac, Isaiah, Izabella, Bexley, Xaiden, Silas and Lyla.

Also by his loyal pets Beau and Duke.

 In memory of John's love for animals and his giving spirit to others, he requested that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the ASPCA and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. 6th Street, Osage City, Kansas 66523.

John will be missed by many and forever loved.