John Alexander (85) of Newton

John Ira Alexander, 85, of Newton, Illinois passed away at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17 at the Crain Funeral Home, Newton. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the funeral service Saturday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Brockville Cemetery, rural Newton with military rites by Jasper Post No. 20 of the American Legion. Memorial gifts in honor of John may be made to the Brockville Cemetery.

Online condolences may be offered by clicking here

He was born on May 16, 1931 in Toledo, Ohio to William B. Alexander and Viola E. (Martin) Alexander.

He is survived by three daughters, Bonnie Wagner of Newton, Illinois, Cindee (Steve) Galeener of Marshall, Illinois and Chris Graumenz of Witt, Illinois, three granddaughters, Bridget Wagner, Brittany Wagner, Melanie (Kevin) Parks and one grandson, Jared Galeener. Also surviving is a brother, Claude (Shirley) Alexander of Overland Park, Kansas, sister-in-law, Marilyn Alexander of Anderson, Indiana and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Arthur Alexander.

He graduated from Newton High School and Eastern Illinois University. He served in the United States Army. He was a member of the Jasper County Antique Tractor Club, Jasper County Farm Bureau and past member of the Moose Lodge and VFW Lodge. He was retired from farming and Witt High School (where he was known as "A") after 29 years where he taught Chemistry, Physics and Industrial Arts. In his younger days he enjoyed flying his plane, riding his motorcycle and a good game of cards. He could often be found in his shop tinkering away on various projects. His friends and neighbors always knew if you needed something fixed John was the one who could get it done. He was a man of few words but his knowledge and wisdom will continue to amaze us forever.