JOHN BRACEY

John William Bracey, 87 of Canton, Missouri died July 12, 2018 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.

He was born June 16, 1931 to Ted and Anna Stolz Bracey at home at Mason City, Illinois.

He went to country grade school at Swing Grove 7 years, then to New Holland High School, graduating in May 1949. He was active in sports-baseball and fast pitch softball. In May 1949 he was awarded the Illinois State Farmers Award. He was also active in F.F.A. for 4 years and Vice President of the Senior Class. He graduated from Graham Livestock School in Garnett, Kansas and also Lewis Allen Business Course through Quincy Soybean Company where he was employed for 27 years, retiring in 1994 as Supervisor of Elevator Operations.

In May 1950, he met Phyllis Drake of San Jose, Illinois at a square dance in Mason City. Being the love of his life they were married October 19, 1952 at San Jose Methodist Church. In 1953 they moved to a 365 acre farm in Logan County, Illinois until 1960, then they moved to Pekin, Illinois where he was a farm manager for Adwell Corporation of Chicago. He left them in 1967 when he was a manager of 8000 acres in the Meyer bottom. In October 1967 he went to work for Quincy Soybean Company.

John was active in local activities. He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ for over 50 years, serving as an ordained elder, consistory, lay reader and usher. He was a leader of Ten-Mile 4-H for 30 years where they won many national awards in safety programs, the Lewis County Fair Board for 15 years, serving as president for 13 years, Lewis County 4-H Council for 3 years and Extension for 4 years, serving as president for two years, Canton Kiwanis Club for 9 years, serving as president for one year, NECAC board of directors and executive committee for almost 19 years. He was also active in the 4-H clubs in Mason County, Il. and Middleton, Il. He was awarded the State of Missouri 4-H Council Alumni Award and in 2007 his family received the Missouri 4-H Century Family award. He was also on the President Honor Role from the President of the University of Missouri.

John and Phyllis went on mission trips with the church youth in the 1980’s to San Luis, Co., New Braunfels, Tx., Pipestem, W. Virginia and Eureka Springs, Ar. They were inducted into the Mo. 4-H Foundation Hall of Fame in 2010, received the Naomi Crouch Award, Frank Graham Award for 4-H and numerous other 4-H awards. After retiring in 1994 he continued to farm at Canton with his two sons, selling in 2016. He and Phyllis enjoyed watching Canton High School Sports Programs of softball, basketball and baseball.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Bracey of Canton; three children, Laurie Jones, Stewart (Eva) Bracey and Eric (Michelle) Bracey all of Canton; eleven grandchildren, Trisha Jones, Nathan Jones, Zachary Bracey, Collin Bracey, Magnum Carper, Colt Carper, Remington Carper, Alexandra Stover, Derek Bracey, Cody Sherwood and Katelyn Sherwood; seven great-grandchildren, Naevan Kemper, Keaton Jones, Serenity Jones, Brooklyn Carper, Chloe Carper, Nova Murphy and Ellie Carper; sisters-in-law, Nancy Bracey of Dunlap, Il. and Bonnie Wagler of Pekin, Il.; sister and brother-in-law, Marge (Lawrence) Farland of Pekin, Il.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kenneth Bracey.

Funeral services will be held July 16, 2018 at Trinity United Church of Christ in Quincy, Illinois with Rev. Tim White officiating. Visitation was July 15 at Arnold’s Funeral Home in Canton.

Pallbearers: Zach Bracey, Collin Bracey, Derek Bracey, Nathan Jones, Trisha Jones, Cody Sherwood and Remington Carper. Honorary Pallbearers: Ron Gaus, Ron Comley, Bob Corbin, Dale Hedberg, Ken Schuetz, Dale Wuestenfeld, George Hoffman, Brenda Wright, Alan Boone, Jim Dennison, Don Nicholson, Doug Wilson, Ron Levengood and Dee Ann Turner.

Burial will be in Forest Grove Cemetery in Canton.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Church of Christ or to the Lewis County Fair Association.

Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldsfuneralhome.net