Retired Master Sgt. John C. Adlich, 68, of Warrensburg, Missouri, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, at his home.

Memorial services will be held at Sweeney-Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, with the Rev. Morris Collins officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time. A celebration of life will follow the service at Heroes Restaurant in Warrensburg from 3-6 p.m.

John was born March 17, 1947, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the son of Thomas B. and Thelma A. (Yarbrough) Adlich.

He was united in marriage to Shirley L. McBee on June 17, 1967, at McBee Chapel in Braymer, Missouri.

At the age of 18, John enlisted in the United States Air Force and served overseas in Italy, Germany, Greenland and Turkey in power production. He served at Whiteman Air Force Base in the Precision Management Equipment Lab and safety manager. His career spanned 20 years with US Air Force before settling in Warrensburg, making it his home. Upon retirement from the Air Force, John attended the University of Central Missouri where he received his master’s degree in safety management in 1988. For the next 20 years, John worked as a safety manager with multiple corporations, municipalities, OSHA and construction companies.

John was always eager to learn and further his education. His interests covered a wide range of topics, including psychology, politics, renovations, fixing his vehicles, woodworking, riding his BMW motorcycle and forwarding emails to all of his friends and loved ones.

Married 48 years to his one and only sugar babe, “mon petit chou” or hun, John and Shirley shared many happy years with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. From concerts, plays, dance recitals, art shows, ball games and competitions to graduations from kindergarten, high school and college, John was front and center celebrating his family’s achievements. He was always extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments.

John is survived by his wife, Shirley; a daughter, Michelle Wilson, and husband, Rodney, of Independence, Missouri; three sons, Thomas Adlich, and wife, Heidi, of Smithville, Missouri; Phil Adlich and wife, Angela, of Warrensburg; and Sean Adlich and wife, Amy, of Franklin, Tennessee; three grandsons, Dominick Adlich, Tyler Adlich and Christian Wilson; and six granddaughters, Jessica Determan, Kelstin Wilson, Madison Adlich, Melanie Adlich, Allison Adlich and Danielle Adlich.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Kirby Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and can be left in care of the funeral home.