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John Massa Obituary
John Albert Massa, age 84, of Lamar, Missouri, passed away on September 1, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family.
John was born July 5, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Arlo John Massa and Alberta Marie (Tilley) Massa. On October 17, 1958, he married the love of his life, Joan Marie Hardwick, in Cape Girardeau. Together they shared 53 years of marriage before her passing in 2012.
John began his working career at St. Joe Lead in Herculaneum, Missouri, and worked his way on up to chemist lab supervisor. In 1991, he and Joan moved to Lamar, Missouri, where he found his knack for mending fences and feeding cattle on the farm he shared with his son Russ and his family. He retired from cattle farming shortly after Joan passed away and then spent the majority of his time watching his beloved St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues.
John was very instrumental in founding the Little League organization in Herculaneum, knowing his boys would enjoy many hours and years at the ball field. While his boys were of age, he enjoyed taking them camping in Northern Minnesota every year, along with his brother-in-law, John McKee.
He is survived by three sons: Russ (Denny) Massa of Lamar, MO; Forest Massa of Lamar, MO; and Kurtis (Angie) Massa of Festus, MO. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Amber (Rick) Faber, Danielle Massa, Jacob (Taylor) Massa, Megan Massa (Devin Wolf); Lauren (Tyler) Grandbouche, Blaine Massa, Allie (Clay) Runnels, Makensy (Isaac) Schmidgall, and Dylan (Nicole) Massa; along with 18 great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his father, Arlo; his mother, Alberta Cole; his wife, Joan; his step-father, Henry Cole; and two sisters, Sherry Reed and Jeanne Squailia.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday September 8, 2025, at Daniel Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Iantha Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Iantha Community Church, in care of the funeral home.
Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.
1201 Broadway Street, Lamar, MO 64759
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