John William Ayers

John William Ayers, 55 of Ava, MO formerly of Abingdon, Illinois died at 1:15 am Monday, July 23, 2007 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO.

He was born to Corine Ayers on October 1, 1951 in Pasadena, CA. John was a longtime resident of Abingdon, IL and Phoenix, AZ. He was a man of many talents and could fix about anything.

He worked for Abingdon Salvage for many years. He also worked as the head groundskeeper in Arizona for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers training camps. He most recently was employed by Wal-Mart where he worked for four years in London, OH.

He married Schelia Bowman on October 25, 1969. They have been married for 37 years. To their marriage, five children were born, a son, Galen Ayers of Galesburg; four daughters, Genea of Galesburg, Ginger of Iowa, Desiree of Ava, MO and Tessa of Peoria, IL. He was blessed to be the proud grandpa of 14 grandchildren, who will all miss their grandpa very much.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Corine Ayers.

He will leave behind his family and friends that will deeply miss him, but never stop loving him or forget what he means to them.

A Graveside service will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 26, 2007 at the Abingdon Cemetery, Abingdon, IL. Eleanor Landon will officiate. A Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel. Local arrangements where conducted by the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home of Ava, MO. Memorials may be made to his wife.