Service Information
John B. Bradley, age 91, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at Meeker Manor Rehabilitation Center in Litchfield, Minnesota.
Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 1:00 P.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment in the church cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at Peace Lutheran Church.
Military Honors by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
Obituary
John Bruce Bradley was born on June 4, 1930, in Newark, New Jersey. He was the son of Ural and Virginia (Robertson) Bradley. John was a graduate with the Central High School class of 1948. He then went on to join the United States Air Force enlisting on June 29, 1951.
As Flight Engineer, John served his country during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars earning the Korean and United Nations Service Medals as well as the Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, five Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross, all while completing 101 combat missions accounting for between 3,000 to 4,000 combat flight hours and carrying thousands of gallons of Agent Orange. John logged over 11,000 flight hours during his career earning three Air Force Commendation Medals. In 1957, he was part of the winning crew for the World Bombing Competition and refueled the B-52 aircraft that flew the first nonstop flight around the world. He served on aircrews that flew cover for all the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space shots. After 20 years and two days of active military service, John retired at the rank of Master Sergeant on June 30, 1971.
On November 5, 1961, John was united in marriage to Joan Rahn at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. This marriage was blessed with one son, Keith. John and Joan resided in Florida, California, Michigan, Bermuda, and later moved to Hutchinson in July of 1971. They shared 59 years of marriage before the passing of Joan on February 14, 2021.
John was employed as a net maker with the Department of Natural Resources for 20 years and retired in 1991.
John was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He was also a member of the Hutchinson VFW Post 906.
John enjoyed helping others, playing cards, making canes, woodworking, walking, traveling, spending time in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and grandson.
John passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at the age of 91 years.
Blessed be his memory.
John is survived by his:
Grandson, Tyler Bradley and his fiancée, Shawna Dietz of Mandan, ND;
Sister-in-laws, Carol Horrman, Miriam Rahn;
Nephew, Bruce Rahn;
Nieces, Cindy (Gaylord) Johnson, Beverly Friend;
Cousins, Suzanne (Roy) Mackedanz, Betty Sedegrin;
Great Niece and Nephews, Natasha (Ryan) Johnson, Mitchell Johnson, Danny Johnson, Chris (Kirsten) Johnson;
Many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
John is preceded in death by his Parents, Ural and Virginia Bradley; Wife, Joan Bradley; Son, Keith Bradley; Brothers, Brodus Bradley, Bruce Bradley, Mark Bradley, Joseph Bradley; Sisters, Ollie Assantes, Gladys Collins, Theresa Policastro; Mother and Father-in-law, Frank and Louise Rahn; Brother-in-law, David Rahn.
Janice Heintz says
Sorry to hear about John. We will miss him sitting down by the river.
eugene w mackedanz says
Sorry to hear about John’s passing. I am sure his personality will be missed by all. I have some very fond memories of John.
Gene Mackedanz
Wayne L. Anderson says
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. I worked with John at the Fisheries Netroom from 1989 -1991, and would visit with him from time to time, but did not see him very often after I retired in 2008.
Pat Buske says
John will be so missed. He would stop at the DAV when I was in the office and keep me company. He was a ray of sunshine in my day.
Sharon Downie says
I am heartbroken that my kind, compassionate Uncle has died. I will always remember him in his air force uniform talking about his beautiful girlfriend, Joan in MN. He has now joined his loved ones in Heaven. I will say a prayer and look for him in the clouds. It was an honor to be your niece.