Rev. John Curtis, Jr., 93

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The Rev. John R. Curtis, Jr., 93, of Carlinville, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at Heritage Health Care Center in Carlinville.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Carlinville United Methodist Church. 

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. at the church, with the Revs. Rex Hendrix and David Eadie co-officiating. Burial will be held in Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Curtis was born Aug. 26, 1926, to the Rev. John and Anna (McMeekin) Curtis in Royalton. He married Margy Jean Jardine on June 18, 1978, in Bartonville, and she survives.

After graduating from Vandalia High School in 1944, he enlisted with the U.S. Navy, serving until 1946, where he obtained the rank of Pharmacist's 2nd Class. He then attended McKendree University, graduating in 1950.

From 1953 until 1958, he attended seminary at G.E.T.S. in Evanston, and during that time he preached at Plato Center in Burlington. He served at Godfrey United Methodist Church from 1959 to 1963. Then he went back to McKendree University where he was the director of Religious Life until 1966.

He also served at Salem Grace United Methodist Church from 1966 to 1968, Carthage United Methodist Church from 1968 to 1970, Gibson City United Methodist Church from 1970 to 1974, Bartonville United Methodist Church from 1974 to 1978, Carlinville United Methodist Church and Rural United Methodist Church from 1978 to 1987, and Paris United Methodist Church from 1987 to 1997. Then he returned to preach at Rural United Methodist Church in Standard City until his retirement at the end of September 2019.

A proud St. Louis Cardinals fan since 1946, he enjoyed fishing, golfing and gardening. He loved preaching, his music ministry and most of all his family.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his six daughters, Deborah (Geoffrey) Dubson of St. Louis, MO, Elizabeth (Mark) Curtis-Camphouse of Mannassas, VA, Cheryl (Tal) Beckman of Bartonville, Lisa (Brian) Sullivan of Hillsboro, Melody Carlson of Arrowsmith and Rebecca (Loren) Reece of Bloomington; five sons, Richard (Lynne) Curtis of Waconia, MN, Matt (Julie) Curtis of Ravun Gap, GA, David (Melissa) Curtis of Salida, CO, Bob (Bonnie) Buhs of Gibson City and Craig (companion Shawn Bridges) Moore of McKinney, TX; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Pam Moore of Champaign; sister, Margaret Ann Hooper of Birmingham, AL; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Wendy Underwood; son, Bob Moore; and a son-in-law, Tom Carlson.

Memorials may be made to the Rural United Methodist Church or the Preachers' Aid Society and Benefit Fund.

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-andersonfuneralhome.com.