John Moore

DOW, Ill. -- John Walter Moore, 86, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville, Illinois.

John was born in Delta on Feb. 27, 1932, and was the son of Charles and Imogene Hector Moore. He married the former Shirley Kossman on Dec. 13, 2002, and together they were blessed with nearly 16 years of marriage.

John graduated from Delta High School and soon entered the U.S. Navy, where he served his country during the Korean War. He was very proud of service and considered it an honor to defend his country, and maintained that pride throughout his entire life.

Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to the Cape Girardeau area, where he began a 20-year career with Superior Electric. After its closing, he worked on the river for numerous barge lines until his retirement. Having not much to do was not in John's nature, so he sought out employment and was fortunate and proud to serve as the custodian for the Chaffee Elementary School in Chaffee, Missouri, a job he truly enjoyed.

Surviving are his wife, Shirley Moore of Dow; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kay and Darrin Gant of Benton, Missouri, and Gail and Larry Dalton of Cherry Valley, Illinois; three stepchildren and their spouses, Bonnie and Buck Reeves of Dow, Ronnie and Lori James of Morley, Missouri, and Tonya and Terry Woolsey of Petersburg, Illinois; three grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Burial will take place Friday at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Safe Harbor Foundations.

Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.