Dr. John Fredrick Bluhm, III Obituary

Please note the time of the rosary begins at 10:00 am with visitation to follow until 1:00 pm Mass time at St. Patrick chapel.

Dr. John Fredrick “Fred” Bluhm, III, MD, 74, of Sedalia, passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

He was born July 17, 1950, in Sedalia, son of the late John Fredrick Jr. and Anna Louise (Walter) Bluhm.

On June 28, 1975, in St. Louis, he was married to Susan Manewal.

Fred was a 1968 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School, where he was on the golf team and was national Latin champion in 1967 and 1968. He was a 1972 graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia, having studied one semester abroad in Rome, and a 1976 graduate of St. Louis University School of Medicine. He served a two-year internship in internal medicine at St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis and a three-year dermatology residency at University of Wisconsin-Madison, before returning to his hometown of Sedalia to open a private practice and maintain the family farm. He practiced dermatology for 35 years. He practiced what he preached—skin protection—wearing his safari hat, long-sleeves, and sunscreen.

A St. Louis Cardinals fan, he sponsored the radio broadcast of Cardinal baseball on Sedalia radio for many years. He was a 4-H project leader and sponsor of the Pettis County 4-H horse show for many years, receiving the 4-H Alumni Award in 2019. He was a member of the Pettis County Pachyderm Club.

Fred was a devoted family man and provided his daughters many opportunities to achieve their dreams. He enjoyed watching his daughter, Carol, on her high school flag and dance team, and was especially proud of her later being a Chiefs cheerleader. He enjoyed chaperoning out-of-town trips for New Score Show Choir during Mary’s high school years. No matter the event, he was present, even capturing many moments on video. He enjoyed woodworking, and traveling with family, meticulously planning each trip.

Fred converted to Catholicism in recent years and was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul parish.

Surviving are his wife of almost 50 years, Susan; two daughters, Carol McLaughlin and Mary Holsten (Russell); a grandson, Tucker Bluhm Holsten; and a sister, Cheryl Ann Bluhm.

Prayers of the Rosary will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at St. Vincent de Paul St. Patrick chapel, with visitation following until Mass time.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at St. Patrick chapel.

Private burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Vincent de Paul parish, in care of Heckart Funeral Home.