As an avid believer in lists, a job well done and a task completed - J.D. has reached the ultimate conclusion on July 4, 2025, the beginning of eternity in Heaven.

In his 85 years he accomplished much as he sought out and assumed responsibilities to improve and promote the area where he lived and worked. But his greatest joy was his family.

He married Margaret Gabriel or "Peg" on September 9, 1961, in their
hometown of Wathena, Kansas. They were blessed with two (2) daughters, Robyn (Craig) Johnson and Lisa (Rhett) Scrimsher. In addition, they have (7) grandchildren and seven (7) great-grandchildren. They are: Nicholas (Leah) Johnson, Jesse Daniel, William "Will" Steven and Henry Baus Johnson; Maggie (Cody) Edwards, Charles "Charlie" Craig and Watson Lee Edwards; Drew (Kristen) Scrimsher, and Hudson Daniel Scrimsher; Leah (Cooper) Leach, and Stevie Linn Leach; Noah Scrimsher, Olivia Scrimsher (deceased) and Sophie Scrimsher. All of them brought incredible pride and joy to his life.

J.D. - Jesse Daniel - was born to Everett and Gladys (Weigant) Euler on December 24, 1939, at home in Blair, Kansas. J.D. was the 5th of 6 children - Jack (Phyllis); Maxine (Don) Sklenar; Everett Jr. (Juanita); Molly (Bill) Horner and Melanie (Jim) Drake. He is survived by his sister Molly and her husband, Bill, his in-laws Juanita Euler and Jim Drake, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

He attended Blair school and graduated from Wathena High School in 1957 and then attended and graduated from St. Joseph Junior College, Washburn University in 1961 and Washburn School of Law in 1965. J.D. was admitted to practice before Kansas and U.S. Supreme Courts. He and Peg and their daughters returned to Wathena where J.D. practiced law with his brother, Jack, from 1965 until J.D. was appointed as District Judge in 1988. While engaged in the general practice of law he also served as Doniphan County Attorney and City Attorney for both Elwood and Wathena. In addition, he aided in the establishment of the zoning regulations for Doniphan County; the levee district boards for Burr Oak and Elwood-Gladden; and rural water districts throughout Doniphan County. In 1988 he was appointed District Judge of the 22nd Judicial District, and retired in 2000 after serving as Chief Judge for six (6) years. He was known as a fair judge who was always prepared.

Upon his retirement as judge he began his third career as a columnist for the Kansas Chief - "Don't Shoot the Messenger" and 2nd District Doniphan County Commissioner.

Now down to business and J.D.'s responsibility and commitment to any community he was a part of. This was a result of growing up in a small community and knowing people in good times and bad and receiving support from so many people and organizations through the years. He always emphasized the importance of serving others rather than being served. During his adult life J.D. served others in the following capacities. He was County Attorney for Doniphan County, Kansas; and a member of the Wathena City Council. He worked with benefactors to establish the Earl and Susie Euler scholarship trusts and Euler Wathena Library Trusts. Active member and past Elder and Deacon of the Troy Christian Church. Member and past master of the Wathena Masonic Lodge. He aided in the establishment of the Doniphan County Community Foundation. He also served as a member of the following organizations: Mo-Kan Planning Commission; Kansas Mental Health Board; Wathena High School Alumni Association and Trust; Kansas and Northeast Kansas Bar Association; Board of Governors for the American Judges Association; Christian Legal Society; Kansas District Judges Association; SOABS; Hiawatha Gideons Camp. Board of Directors of Farmers State Bank, Wathena. He was a member of Washburn University School of Law; Missouri Western State University and Washburn Alumni Associations. He was a prior member of the Kiwanis Club, Hiawatha Elks; and an active participant in various charitable fund campaigns.

Some activities and accomplishments he was most pleased with included the establishment of the Wathena High School Alumni Trust; serving as Trustee of the Bauer-Hoover Trusts which aided in building the Bauer-Hoover Masonic Lodge building; serving as secretary of the Bellemont Cemetery Association and Bauer-Hoover Cemetery Trust with projects that included asphalting roads; insuring trees were planted, that land was purchased for expansion; and numerous stones repaired and markers replaced. While serving as County Commissioner the new jail was constructed and the Courthouse wall and sidewalk were repaired and replaced. He established the Earl and Susie Euler Trusts which have provided numerous scholarships to local youth and established the Wathena Library branch. He was also a strong advocate and promoter of Industrial Development in Elwood-Wathena area while serving as County and City Attorney.

Finally, all jobs were more than a salary or title or power. J.D. was always looking for ways to improve the position and/or community. As an example, while serving as District Judge he completed the project of hanging portraits of Doniphan County Judges who had served the last 130 years; he utilized community service for jailed persons and those on probation which allowed for the painting of the Courtroom and Courthouse; trash pickup and several other projects; he also insured that Bench Bar Meetings and continuing legal education for attorneys in the 22nd Judicial District were provided and held. While County Attorney he established the Court Trustee Program serving as the first Trustee; he held numerous inquisitions involving crime in Doniphan County and filed criminal complaints regardless of who was involved.

He cherished the friends he had and the relationships that he made throughout his life. He will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on in the people he encountered throughout his life and especially through his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Well done, good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:23

Visitation for J. D. will be held Tuesday, July 8th from 6-8 P.M. at the
Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas. Visitors may come to the funeral home beginning at 1 P.M. that day.

Services will be held Wednesday, July 9th at 10 A.M. at the Troy Christian
Church, Troy, Kansas, with burial to be immediately thereafter at Bellemont Cemetery, Wathena, Kansas.

Memorials: The Gideons International or the Troy Christian Church.

All are invited to attend the luncheon to be held after the ceremony at the Wathena Community Building at 303 E. St. Joseph Street, Wathena, Kansas.

For further details please visit the website - www.harmanrohde.com