John was born September 3, 1923, in Idaho Falls to Peter John and Celia Argenta Miles Maheras. He was raised and educated in the Idaho Falls area where he learned the value of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done. John graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1941. He went on to the Puget Sound Naval Yards where he was employed before enlisting in the Army Air Corp in 1943. He was a tail-gunner on a B-24 with the 9th Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group. He served in the India-Burma Theater and successfully "flew the hump" delivering ordinance. He was Honorably Discharged in 1945.

Utilizing the education benefit for Veterans, John began his college education at Idaho State College from 1946 to 1948 where he met his wife, Viva (Vi) Jones. They were married August 28, 1948, in Pocatello. The newlyweds quickly moved to St. Louis, MO where John continued his education at the Washington University School of Dentistry; graduating in 1948. John and Vi moved back to Idaho Falls where he began his practice of Dentistry retiring after 49 years of serving and fully enjoying his many patients.

John's love for horses fully bloomed in 1960 when he and Vi bought 80 acres south of Idaho Falls where he began the life-long pursuit of breeding and raising Quarter Horses. Most of "Doc's" activities revolved around or included the use of a horse: horse racing, horse showing, trail riding, hunting, cutter racing, team roping, team penning and providing a solid mount for each of his three children through their rodeo years.

A passionate man, John felt any job was worthy of no less than his best; whether it was in dentistry or working with his horses. He lived his life with purpose. John was a perfectionist, never overlooking the details, perhaps to a fault; if one could consider it so.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Idaho Falls, Bonneville County Mounted Sheriff's Posse, Idaho Falls Dental Society plus numerous horse organizations. In 2004, he was inducted into the Eastern Idaho Horseman's Hall of Fame for the long-term contributions made to the horse industry of the area. John's wife of 53 years, Vi, passed away on October 27, 2001. In 2003, he moved to Blackfoot to be closer to his daughter.

John was a devoted and loving father to three children, Peter J. (deceased); Susan (Kevin) Caldwell, Blackfoot; and Charles (Jolyn) Maheras, Albuquerque, NM. John has four grand children: Joshua (Melissa) Caldwell, Shelley; Katie (Brian) Hopkins, Pocatello; Jordan (Matthew) Horkley, Pocatello; and John P. Maheras Cocco, Bloomington IN. John is survived by his siblings: Elaine Anderson, Rexburg; Ruth Howard, Idaho Falls, Dr. Theodore Maheras, Fayetteville, AR; Joy (Floyd) Nielsen, Idaho Falls; Dr. Joseph (Mary) Maheras, Billings, MT.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls. The family will receive friends from 6- 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2009, and one hour prior to the services at the mortuary. Interment will be at the family plot in Fielding Memorial Park where military rites will be provided by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Idaho Youth Ranch, 5465 W. Irving Street, Boise, ID 83706 or to Hands of Hope Hospice, 1379 East 17th Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83401. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com