John H. "Jack" Caldwell

1934 - 2026

John H. Caldwell, known as Jack to many, was born to Harold E. Caldwell and Z. Mildred (Fisher) Caldwell on Jan. 25, 1934, in New London, Mo. He died peacefully on Feb. 3, 2026, at the age of 92.

Jack served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1960. He attended college at Northeast Missouri State in Kirksville, Mo., where he met his soulmate of 65 years, Eleanor Mary Smithson. They married on a cold, snowy day on Jan. 21, 1961, in Atlanta, Mo.?

Jack had numerous careers, including a as Missouri Department of Conservation agent, a newspaper editor, a teacher and a high school administrator. He never met a stranger, and he could always be remembered by his family as the one who not only had what you needed, but also knew where it was located!?

He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He loved golf, fishing, bird hunting, deer hunting, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. His love for deer hunting became his focus, and he prided himself on bagging a buck with one shot for over 30 years. He will always be remembered for listening to everyone's stories and his quirky sense of humor.?

Jack is preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law; his brothers-in-law Bob Schmidt of St. Charles, Mo., and Francis Duncan of St. Louis; and his sisters-in-law Beverly Duncan of St. Louis and Elizabeth Beeson of Atlanta, Mo.?He is survived by his wife Eleanor, of the home; his sister Mary Ann Schmidt of DeBerry, Fla.; his daughter Shari Cooley (Justin) of Summersville, Mo.; his son John Caldwell (Sherri) of Mtn. View, Mo.; his two grandchildren Dylan Caldwell (Kaitlin) of Mountain View and Kelsey Owens (Wyatt) of Birch Tree, Mo.; his great-grandchildren Ryett Caldwell, Ridge Caldwell, Reed Owens and Walker Owens; one cousin John Porter Fisher of Belflower, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews. 

Jack always pursued his dreams. May he rest in peace.

Graveside services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mtn. View. The family requests that memorial donations be made in Jack's honor to the Care to Learn Program for the Mtn. View-Birch Tree R-3 School District and may be left at Yarber Mortuary in Mtn. View. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.