JOHN AUGUST HOHM

John A. Hohm, 89, of Jefferson City, died Sunday, December 23, 2012, at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia.
He was born on April 18, 1923, in Jefferson City , MO, son of John J. Hohm and Pauline (Kaiser) Hohm, brother of Norbert (deceased) and Linus of Jefferson City, MO, Dolores (Hohm) Kliethermes, and Genevieve (Hohm) Knaebel (Arthur) of Kansas City.
John married Helen Ihler in Los Angeles on November 27, 1967. John has 16 nieces and nephews, 30 great nieces and nephews, and 12 great-great nieces and nephews. All will miss John in their lives.
John grew up on the family farm and was a member and leader of the Moreau Valley 4-H Club sponsored by the Missouri Extension Service. He was a life long member of St. Peter Catholic Church, baptized and graduated from St. Peter Catholic High School in 1941.
John was employed by Roark & Runge Window Company and Hamm's Beer Distributers.
John enlisted in the US Army, 511 Parachute Regiment, 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific Theater during WWII. On his 27th jump he was tangled with another parachute and injured his back, and spent several months recuperating in a military hospital in Japan. At the Wars end he was assigned to the Japanese Occupation Forces, after which he joined the reserves. During the Korean conflict in North Korea, John was called back to duty and was hit by Chinese mortar and suffered frozen feet and hands and hearing loss. He was hospitalized in a military hospital in Japan for a second time and was then discharged on June 13, 1952. He is a Purple Heart recipient. Because of his experience in veteran hospitals with both injuries, he was extremely supportive of veterans and their issues and devoted his time and energy to military service organizations.
He was a life member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17, Past Commander, Veterans Support Chairman and devoted 11,000 hours of volunteer service at Harry S Truman Veterans Hospital.
He was a life member of American Legion Post 5 and 40 & 8. Chairman of Boy's State Committee, Executive Committee, VA Bingo Chairman.
He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1003 and Military Order of the Cootie, and for 45 years served as chef of the "eating meeting."
He was a life member of the Jefferson City's Elk Lodge #513, and for the last 20 years, he was Veterans Affairs Chairman. During his tenure, the Lodge activities at the VA expanded greatly. With his friendly smile, sense of humor, and skill to get the job done he arranged weekly visits to veterans at the Harry S Truman VA Hospital in Columbia, took patients in the Home Care Section on trips outside of the hospital as often as they could be arranged, and worked diligently with the Lodge officers and members in improving financial support for veteran activities. He represented the national and state Elks as the VA Volunteer Leader at the VA Hospital. In 2010, John was named the Missouri State Elk of the Year.
Pall bearers: Mike Hohm, David and Mark Knaebel, Denny Steferman, Danny Kliethermes and Pam Kliethermes. Honorary pall bearer: Joe Hearty.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, December 28, 2012, at St. Peter Catholic Church.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to St Peter Catholic Church, 216 Broadway Street, Jefferson City, Mo 65101; and/or to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV)'s Van Service Program, VA Hospital Attn: DAV, 800 Hospital Drive, Columbia, Mo 65201.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.