John Henry Muennink, age 76, of Hondo, Texas, died January 22, 2003. He was born December 27, 1926, in Hondo, Texas, the oldest of three children of Henry Louis and Dorothy Marie (Zinsmeyer) Muennink. John was a descendant of the first German and Alsatian immigrants in Texas. During his primary years, John was educated in Catholic Schools in D'Hanis and Hondo. While at Hondo High School, he enjoyed football and basketball, being selected all-district and serving as co-captain for the 1944 Hondo Owl football team. Johnny graduated from Hondo High School with the class of 1945. In June, 1945, John was drafted into the United States Army, and served in Italy during World War II until January 30, 1947. Upon his return, he attended Southwest Texas State College in San Marcos for three years, majoring in business administration. His 32 years of service with the United States Postal Department began as a clerk and carrier in the Hondo Post Office in 1950. Later, in 1967, he was appointed Postmaster by President Lyndon B. Johnson, an accomplishment of which he and his family were very proud. John was active in the community where he chaired many civic events and held various offices. He served as Director, Vice-President, and President of the Hondo Chamber of Commerce, as well as holding several offices for the Hondo Fire Department. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts. Most important to him was his membership at St. John's Catholic Church. During his retirement years, he enjoyed working on his farm and ranch, vacationing in Mexico, and fishing on Lake Amistad. He especially enjoyed the company of his family. His family will always remember their "Daddy' and "Papa" as the "ultimate storyteller." His many interesting and humorous tales of "Papa Zinsmeyer's Model-T full of grandkids", "electioneering with Grandpa Muennink", and, of course, all of the "war stories", will forever be lovingly etched in all of our memories. John was preceded in death by parents, Henry Louis and Dorothy Marie (Zinsmeyer) Muennink, and sister and brother-in-law, Diane (Muennink) O'Malley and Gen. Jerome F. O'Malley. John is survived by his devoted wife of nearly fifty years, Margaret (Steinle) Muennink of Hondo; one son, Gregory John Muennink and wife, Sandra (Ellis) Muennink of Hondo; one daughter, Melissa Ann (Muennink) Bohmfalk and husband, Gordon Douglas Bohmfalk of Austin; five grandchildren, John Garry and Rachel Lee Muennink, and Sarah Ellen, Meredith Ann, and Luke Gordon Bohmfalk. He is also survived by one brother, Thomas G. Muennink and wife, Sue Muennink of Hondo. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2003 from 4:30pm until 6:00 pm at the Guinn-Horger Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 25, 2003, with Reverend Jeff Pehl and Monsignor Roy Rihn (Margaret's first cousin) officiating at St. John's Catholic Church in Hondo. Interment followed in the Oakwood Cemetery in Hondo.