John R. Fleming

John R. Fleming, 73, of Metamora, formerly of Gridley, passed away at 2:45PM Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Snyder Village in Metamora. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held 10 am Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 1337 Lourdes Rd rural Metamora. Memorials may be made to the Children?s Hospital of Illinois or Snyder Village. He was born January 19, 1940, in Bloomington, the son of Ray and Lillian Clark Fleming. Surviving are his wife, the former Betty Simpkins, whom he married July 22, 1961 in Bloomington; son, Roger Fleming of Flanagan; daughter, Donna (Charles) Kinkade of Piper City; daughter, Debra (Donald) Brown, of Hoopeston; and son, Daniel (Debbie) Fleming of Leroy. Also surviving is his mother of Gridley, six grandchildren, three great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Ron Fleming of Gridley, Bob Fleming of El Paso, and one sister, Sharon Wheelock of Las Vegas, NV. His father and one great grandchild preceded him in death. John was a member of Flanagan Christian Church, and recently attended Faith Evangelical Free Church. John was employed at Nussbaum Trucking for 33 years. One of his favorite activities was to play Santa Claus for the children in his neighborhood and at the Children?s Hospital in Peoria. He enjoyed going to the area stock car races, and attending Flanagan Falcons sporting events as an amateur sports photographer. John loved people and enjoyed time with his many friends and will be greatly missed by all.