John was born January 14, 1933 in Rural Adams County, IL the son of Harrington and Kathryn Mercer Newman. He married Doris Pearl Cutforth on December 22, 1955 in Pleasant View Baptist Church. John and Doris had just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last year. For 40 years they were part of their original marriage encounter group that met on a monthly basis. Doris survives.

John was a 1951 graduate of Liberty High School. He served in the United States Navy aboard the destroyer USS Massey. While John was in the Navy, he learned HVAC service and repair. After his honorable discharge, John returned to the States where he began his career in HVAC. He worked for a number of companies before finally settling in at Peters Heating and AC, from where he retired after 25 years.

John and Doris traveled all over the United States in their RV, and they spent 22 winters at the Casa del Valle RV Resort in South Texas. John also loved horses, and he rode trails in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Arizona. John especially looked forward to his annual rides with the Magnificent Seven in Colorado. John was also an Illinois Ridge Rider for the last 46 years, and he intended to ride again this upcoming October. Most of all, John loved riding the trails with his family on the farm.

John was a Mason, and he was a member of the Payson Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of Quincy Consistory, High Twelve, Ansar Shrine, Belgian Hitch, Quincy Shrine Club, and Nomad Shrine Club in Pharr, TX. While in Texas, John made many trips transferring children in a hospital van to the Shriners' Hospital for Children in Houston.

John was also a member of the Adams County Farm Bureau, Eagles Club, the Liberty American Legion, the NRA, and the Illinois Rifle Association.

John's grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very special to him, and he made a point of attending all of their sports activities. John also enjoyed baseball, and he was a life-long fan of the Chicago Cubs.

If anyone ever asked John how he was, he would reply, "Almost perfect...There's only one perfect one." Happy trails, John.

In addition to his wife, survivors include: his son, Jay (Karla) Newman of Quincy; his son-in-law, Ed Sadberry of Luther, OK; five grandchildren: Kaly (Josh) Mathis of Luther, OK; Beau (Laura) Sadberry of DeKalb, IL; Chet Sadberry of Newalla, OK; Don Krutmeier of Quincy; and Jessica (Adam) Booth of Quincy; two step grandchildren: Laura (Neal Pleskunas) Goehl of Quincy and Amanda (Gerald Carter) Goehl of Port St. Lucie, FL; 11 great-grandchildren: Brynn and Carter Krutmeier; Rian, Jaxson, and Jake Moore; Maverick, Jolene, and Lucky Grace Mathis; Wren and Eddie Le Sadberry; and Hudson Sadberry; two step great-grandchildren: Justyn Carter and Graham Pleskunas; his brother-in-law, Richard (Mary) Cutforth of Valdasta, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Terrie Sadberry; his daughter-in-law, Beth Newman; his granddaughter, Amanda Krutmeier; two brothers, Mercer and Merwyn Newman; a sister, Patricia Balzer; and his beloved mule, Marley.

Services: John was cremated as per his wishes. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospitals or The Crossing or a charity of the donor's choice. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Herald-Whig on Aug. 28, 2021.