Alice L. John

Celebration of Life Service for Alice L. John, age 99, of Corning, who died on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at Parkdale Manor in Maryville, Missouri will be held Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the United Presbyterian Church in Corning. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 4 PM - 7 PM with the family present from 5 PM – 7 PM. Interment will be held in the Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorials can be given to the Corning Presbyterian Church, Corning Public Library, or Roseanne Hospital Auxiliary. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Roland - Ritchie Funeral Home of Corning.

Alice Lucile John was born September 10, 1913 in rural Adams County; she was the daughter of Frank Valentine and Frantz Mozelle (Davis) Strait. She attended Middle Valley School in Douglas Township and then Bickford School in Washington Township. Alice graduated from Corning High School in 1931. Alice was united in marriage to Albert Wendell John on July 6, 1932 in Maryville,  Missouri. They were blessed with three children: Marian, Gary & Cathy.

Alice performed alteration to clothing for over 65 years working at the SMART SHOP as well as privately. Alice also made most of her family’s clothing through the years. In 1943, she became the first paid cook at the high school. Alice was a very active member in the community. She served on the board that started Meals on Wheels in Corning as well as being a lifetime member of the Adams County    Historical Society, that established the House of History, where Alice donated many family articles to. In 1990, she received the Honorary Life Membership in the Presbyterian Church Women’s Association. She helped establish the Presbyterian Thrift shop and worked there many times.

She was also active with the Main Street Committee during the 10 year project, receiving Volunteer of the Year award in 1992. She was a faithful member of the Roseanne Auxiliary for the hospital; in 1995 she helped to start the Outreach  Program at the hospital. Alice was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge in    Bedford, until it gave up its charter in 2002. In 1999 she received the Decoration of Chivalry, which is one of the highest honors given out by the lodge.

Alice was also a corner guide for the Doctors’ run since 1999.  Alice was an    active member of the DAR and worked at the blood bank each month. She helped in publishing and distributing the time out newsletter each month.  For fun she was a member of the “Just Friends’ group. She cherished the memories of reading to the residents at Corning Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a blind friend or to the third grade reading classes. Alice enjoyed feeding and watching birds and  nurturing flowers to pass her time. She was a companion to several friends, driving them to visit family, take shopping trips or make doctors appointments.

Left to cherish the memories of a wonderful mother, grandmother and friends are her two daughters, Cathy Harvey and husband Tim of Carson, Iowa, and Marian Everhart of Skidmore, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Kathy John of Warrenton,   Virginia; sister, Lois Schneider of Miles, Iowa; 8 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grand-daughters.

Preceding Alice in death are her parents, Frank and Frantz Strait, husband Albert John, and son Gary John.