John Hall Massey, 98, of Allure of Prophetstown, IL, died Monday, December 21, 2020, at Allure.
John was born September 9, 1922, in Lyndon, IL, to John James and Mary Hall (maiden) Massey. He attended rural Whiteside County schools of South Clyde and Bunker Hill. In his youth John was a 4-H member, a Boy Scout, and a Rural Youth member. He married Edith Ellen Anderson on October 20, 1946, at Prophetstown United Methodist Church. John was first employed by the CB&2 Railroad, and then he farmed in the Prophetstown, Cordova, and Morrison areas from 1946 to 1960. He later worked for 28 years as the Custodian at Northside Elementary School in Morrison. John also served as the Custodian for 44 years at Morrison United Methodist Church. He was a member of that church and served as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendant. He was involved with a number of church committees, including the Administrative Council, Mission Committee, Financial Committee, Memorials Committee, and oversaw the Parking Lot Committee and Building Committee in 1965 and 1975. John was a lay member of the Northern IL Conference for 30 years, and then he was a Boy Scout leader of Troop 93 for 15 years. He was also a member of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau, and a former member of the Clinton, IA, Moose Lodge and Resthave Retirement Home Board.
John’s first love was his family; he loved raising his children and watching his grand- and great-grandchildren grow up. His second love was farming; he enjoyed animals and growing things. His yard was a testimony to that, with a well-maintained home and lawn accented by beautiful flowers. He enjoyed the Boy Scout activities and camping and was well-traveled. He and Edith had visited all 50 states and all the Canadian provinces, except for Newfoundland. They also visited the European countries of Switzerland, Germany, and Lichtenstein.
Survivors include his wife Edith; daughter, Cynthia Sue (Larry) Tessendorf of Chadwick, IL; son, Gary John (Bonnie) Massey of Rockford, IL; three grandchildren, John Edwin (Teri Tuner) Tessendorf, Kevin Wayne (Nicole) Tessendorf, and Lisa Marie (Joshua) Zimmerman; four great-granddaughters, Abigail Jean, Sydni Paige, and Scarlett Rose Tessendorf and Emery Grace Zimmerman. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by sisters, Loretta Wilson, Pauline Glazier, and Mary Lou Wilson; brothers, Walter and Donald Massey; two nieces and two nephews.
There will be a public Graveside Service at 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown,IL, co-officiated by Rev. Cal Haines, Jr., Pastor, and Rev. Ryan Sutton, former Pastor, of Morrison United Methodist Church in Morrison, IL.
The Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown, IL, is in charge of arrangements.
A memorial to Boy Scout Troop #96, Morrison, IL, has been established.