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John David Wilson
John David Wilson, the son of Joe L. and Nellene Ballinger Wilson, was born on September 22, 1948, in the Saint John's Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.
John, his parents, and his two brothers were longtime residents of Pleasant Hope, Missouri. As a child John attended the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, where he was baptized as a teenager. John graduated from the Pleasant Hope High School in 1966. He attended Southwest Missouri State University for two years before moving to Louisville, Kentucky to attend The Kentucky School of Mortuary Science, graduating with honors on August 29, 1970.
Following graduation, John returned to Springfield, Missouri to begin his professional career and complete a 12 month apprenticeship with the Klingner Mortuary.
During John's apprenticeship he attended the First Baptist Church of Springfield and met Miss Carolyn Mahan. They became engaged to be married in September of 1971. At the beginning of October 1971 John received military orders to report to active duty for training with the US Army Reserve. He was fortunate to receive his mortuary license before his military service departure.
John and Carolyn were married on April 29, 1972. To their union were born two sons, John William in 1976 and David Nathan in 1980.
John and Carolyn purchased the Daniel Funeral Homes of Ash Grove and Walnut Grove, Missouri in April of 1973 and served those communities for the next 44 years. From the beginning, both communities welcomed and accepted the Wilson family as their own. With this love and support the Wilson family quickly established a new home and a strong relationship that continues to this day.
When John received the diagnosis of ALS in November of 2015, he and Carolyn realized the need to transition into retirement, which they did in June of 2016.
John is survived by his wife Carolyn of the home, one son David "Nathan" and wife Carrie and grandson William "Liam". John was preceded in death by one son, John William "Billy" in 2004.
Also surviving John are two brothers Fred Wilson of Odessa, Missouri and Jim Wilson and wife Jeannie of Springfield, Missouri, one niece and four nephews as well as cousins and many, many friends.
Visitation will begin 2:00PM, Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove, Missouri. Funeral Services will be 2:00PM, Monday, June 5, 2017 at First Christian Church, Ash Grove, Missouri with burial to follow in Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri.
Memorial contributions can be made to the ALS Association and may be left or mailed to the funeral home.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them" …Laurance Binyon
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Wilson - Griffin Funeral Homes - Ash Grove.
3 Entries
Wendall and I were so, so sorry to hear of John's passing while we were in North Carolina attending our son's wedding. We so much wanted to be here but in my heart I know that John would be the first to be glad that this day of endings was also a day of new beginning.There are truly no words to express special bond that John and you have with our community and we are so glad to be able to call you friends. Sending you Love, condolences and hope that you will soon find peace. John will always hold a special place in our hearts. Linda and Wendall Bolin
Linda Bolin
Friend
June 7, 2017
My God bless the John Wilson family. He was truly a very kind man. I have know John Wilson as a professional, but during difficult times, he was so kind hearted to everyone, he will be greatly missed. And although he worked with lots of people, but he never forgot anyone, he made everyone feel very special. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Lynn Myers
June 7, 2017
John was always so nice to me. We both had worked at Klingner Mortuary, he was about 15- 20 years ahead of me. We were both originally from Pleasant Hope. He was ahead of his time and such an inspiration.
Bobby Steinshouer
June 5, 2017
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Funeral services provided by:
Wilson - Griffin Funeral Homes - Ash Grove201 S. Daniel, Ash Grove, MO 65604
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