John Milton Kading died on March 18 near his Chapala home at the age of 68.
Born June 21, 1944 near Lowell, Wisconsin, Kading grew up on a farm. He graduated from Elkhart Lake High School in 1962, Lakeland College in 1966 and Eden Seminary in 1969.
Kading followed his father into the Christian ministry. His ordination as a United Church of Christ pastor took place in June 1969. He served at churches in Elyria, Ohio; Lind, Washington; Great Falls, Montana and Butte, Montana.
Changing careers, Kading attended the University of Montana School of Law from 1991 to 1994. He established his own firm in Butte, focusing on social justice.
Kading and his wife Ruth retired to a hillside home overlooking Lake Chapala in 2006. Kading’s retirement was an active one. He volunteered at the Animal Shelter, the Love in Action Children’s Shelter and the Lake Chapala Society. He also oversaw the maintenance of the subdivision where he lived.
He is survived by his wife Ruth, his children Jolaine (husband Jeff) Plant of Marysville, Washington, Sean (wife Terrie) Kading of Santa Margarita, California and stepson Scott Ward (wife Wendy) of Seattle, Washington. His grandchildren are Alexis and Logan Plant and Jack and Ethan Ward.
He is also survived by his mother Lillian Kading, three sisters, Virginia (husband Robert) Koepsel, Marjean (husband Charles) Pountain and Tina (husband David) Fritsch, as well as several nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends. He will be sorely missed by his canine friends, Loco and Coki.
A celebration of Kading’s life will be held on Friday, April 12, 3-5 p.m. on the Neill James Patio of the Lake Chapala Society.