Photo courtesy of Adams Funeral Chapel - Charleston
May 31, 1940 - Mar 9, 2019
Once we were neighbours, but when Pat and John moved to America, they still kept in touch. It was so lovely to hear from them. So sad that they are no longer with us.
Vera Skelcher
September 05, 2021 | Sutton Coldfield Uk | Friend
Rest in peace Dad
caroline learmonth
March 14, 2019 | London | Daughter
I only knew John a short time, but he, and his family, will always be in my heart.
Jenni (Jen) King
March 14, 2019 | IL | Acquaintance
Dad, we will miss you and I will miss our talks about Liverpool Football Club and your wisdom. Rest in peace with no pain. You are with mum now.
Bronwen and Cedric Lopez
March 13, 2019 | Ridgeville, SC | Daughter
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. John, although we never met I knew a lot about you from stories told by your son-in-law Cedric. RIP John
Ed Salinas
March 13, 2019 | Summerville, SC | Acquaintance
Bron & Cid; As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Your faith and relationship with our Father in Heaven will always there for you to lean on during these times. May he continue to bless both of you.
Greg, Karen, Candace Arceneaux
March 13, 2019 | Charleston, SC | Friend
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
ESAU BESSELLIEU
March 13, 2019 | CHARLESTON, SC | Coworker
CHARLESTON, IL – John Ernest Pugh, age 78, passed on peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2019, after a long, happy, eventful life spent in the United Kingdom and America, ending in Charleston, Illinois. A Memorial Service, honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at the Mattoon First Christian Church located at 1600 Wabash Avenue with Pastor Steve Hayes officiating. Inurnment will be in the family grave located at St. Michael’s Church in Cheshire, United Kingdom. It is requested that donations in his honor be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
John was most grateful for: being born on May 31, 1940 at Caerleon in South Wales, United Kingdom; benefiting from having a devoted mother; growing up at Draethen in the heart of the Welsh countryside; attending Caerphilly Grammar School for Boys; studying Metallurgy at Cardiff University where he met his beloved wife Pat; parenting two exceptional daughters Caroline and Bronwen; working for two International Mining Companies, Cominco and Outokumpu with his good friend Risto Alho; enjoying so many wonderful days of family life; being able to visit so many fine friends and beautiful places throughout Europe and America; supporting football club Newport County AFC for over sixty-five years through all their ups and downs; surviving prostate cancer due to the excellent work of Dr. William Catalona; and having the privilege of living in the United States of America during the time of President Barack Obama.
John fully appreciated his close ties with his uncle Bob and Bob’s son Robert, father-in-law Leandro, son-in-laws Cedric and Mark; and grandsons Fraser and Owen. Furthermore, John was eternally indebted to the ladies in his life who contributed so much in so many loving ways; especially wife Pat, mother Sarah Ann, daughters Caroline and Bronwen; angelic mother-in-law Nancy; the one and only Aunty Barbara, Aunt Jean and daughters Pat and Jaqui, Aunt Flo, Aunt Violet, and granddaughter Sophie. What a fabulous family to behold and to be an integral part of in order to enjoy life’s precious experiences.
Last, but not least, John treasured memories of his ineffable feline friend Toby, and two almost human dogs, Toby and Simba. These lovely animals contributed greatly to his spirit of family life!
John’s final journey transferring from precious life to sublime death is best summed up in the poem “Going Home” by Sven Nader.
Going Home
Once I was afraid of dying, terrified of ever-lyingpetrified of leaving family, home and friends.Thoughts of absence from my dear ones,brought a melancholy tear once,and a dreadful fear of when life ends.But those days are long behind me,fear of leaving does not bind me,and departure does not hold a single care.Peace does comfort as I ponder, a reunion in the yonder,with my dearest one who is waiting for me there.
Amen
“Of course, I believe in God. Without God, life and death has no real meaning. Note the first line of the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
John E. Pugh 2/20/2017
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