Danny “Jim” Lynn Slothower, 80, of Plainville, Kansas, passed away at his home on September 21, 2026.

He was born on July 13, 1946, in Concordia, Kansas, to Herbert Glenn Slothower and Margaret Mae (Nonamaker) Slothower.

Danny grew up on the family farm near Osborne, Kansas, and graduated from Osborne Rural High School in 1964. In 1966, he was drafted into the United States Army and served with the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam. During his military service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. While serving in Vietnam, his life was spared thanks to his dear friend, Harry Karavian. Their bond, forged through the trials and dangers of war, grew into a lifelong brotherhood built on loyalty, courage, and an unbreakable friendship.

Following his military service, Danny continued his education at North Central Kansas Area Vocational School in Beloit, where he trained as a professional welder. In 1969, he began attending Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible.

Throughout his life, Danny never shied away from hard work and held a wide variety of jobs. He farmed, worked for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, served as a rural mail carrier, worked as a roofing contractor, and spent time as an automobile mechanic for J-J Auto Sales in Plainville. He also worked as a production worker at the EnerSys battery plant in Hays and served in ministry as a pastor with the Assemblies of God. Even after retiring, Danny stayed busy operating a lawn care business and caring for yards throughout the community. He also continued helping his longtime friend, John Kirchen, at J-J Auto Sales, assisting around the dealership and running errands whenever needed.

Danny married Jeanette (Kirchen) Haskett in 1978 at the Assembly of God Church in Great Bend, Kansas. Although their marriage later ended, they remained good friends and continued working together to raise their children, always supporting their family and one another throughout the years.

Outside of his ministry and work, Danny enjoyed cars, especially the classics and his Dodge Rams. He was a member of the Red Line Cruisers Car Club and loved traveling to car shows all over Kansas. He also enjoyed traveling to visit family members, researching and gathering genealogical information. He loved connecting with family members and preserving his family’s heritage. He lovingly put together individual history books for each family member so they could remember where the family came from.

Faith was the foundation of Danny’s life. He loved Jesus Christ and the Word of God deeply, spending countless hours studying Scripture, filling notebooks with sermons and Bible studies, and seeking opportunities to share what he learned with others.

Danny was a credentialed pastor with the Assemblies of God and preached, taught, and ministered in churches throughout Kansas, often filling in wherever he was needed. As a young man, he was a member of the Christian Church in Osborne. Throughout the years, he was a member of the Assembly of God congregation in Osborne, where he often played the organ. He was a member of the Plainville Assembly of God Church and later the New Life Center Assembly of God Church in Hays. Most recently, he was a member of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Plainville and faithfully attended weekly Bible studies at the Plainville Church of the Nazarene.

Danny especially enjoyed teaching through memorable object lessons that helped bring biblical truths to life. His ministry extended far beyond the pulpit. For many years, he was involved in children’s ministry, helping with children’s crusades, teaching Royal Rangers, assisting with activities at Woodston Camp, and driving the church bus so children could attend services. He loved investing in young people by teaching them about Jesus, faith, and practical life skills, and he was especially grateful to see many of those children grow up and continue serving the Lord.
Danny was also involved with The Gideons International, where he helped distribute Bibles and share the message of Christ. His friendship and ministry with Rod Sutter gave him many opportunities to worship, study God’s Word, and encourage others in their faith.

Even in his later years, Danny continued searching for ways to serve. He participated in outreach through the Plainville Church of the Nazarene, including Easter outreach activities and providing bicycles and prizes for families in need. Whether through ministry, a helping hand, mowing a lawn, or a simple act of kindness, Danny wanted others to know they were cared for and, most importantly, to know the love of Jesus.

His faith remained steadfast throughout his life. Danny believed that hope in life’s joys and struggles could be found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word. In his later years, one passage that became especially meaningful to him was 2 Chronicles 7:14, which also reflected his prayer for America—that people would humble themselves, seek God, turn toward Him, and find healing and hope.

Danny didn't just speak about his faith; he sought to live it. Through his ministry, friendships, service to others, and everyday acts of kindness, he sought to point others to Christ and share the hope and peace that meant so much to him.

Danny is survived by his daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Slothower of Hays; son, Jeremy Slothower of Plainville; sisters, Janice Carlene (Slothower) Hessenflow of Montrose, Colo., and Marjorie Ellen King of Tucson, Ariz.; brother, Joe King of Salina; grandchildren, Josiah and Jordan Slothower; nephews, Chad and Loren Hessenflow; cousins and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Carl Lee Slothower; and grandparents, Joseph and Marietta Slothower and Joseph and Laura Nonamaker.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Inurnment with Military Honors will follow the service at the Osborne City Cemetery in Osborne.

The family invites attendees to bring their Bibles, wear Danny’s favorite color, blue, and, if able, drive their classic cruiser cars in his honor.

Memorials are suggested to The Gideons International or the Plainville Church of the Nazarene Children’s Outreach and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663. 

Online condolences may be sent to www.plumeroverlease.com