John William Roberts (82) of Salem and Farina

John William Roberts, age 82, passed away on Monday, October 21st, 2024 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

He was born on April 9, 1942 in Centralia, IL to Charles H. Roberts and Lois J (Reichert) Roberts, both deceased.

He has one sister, Sharon K. Roberts, who survives. He married his high school sweetheart Judith Rebecca (Leckrone) Roberts and they recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. John and Judy have three children, Don (Denise) Roberts, Doug (Melissa) Roberts, Kim (John) Bretzlaff. John and Judy also have 8 grandchildren who have brought them great joy! Rachel (Cody) Weisman and Ezekiel Roberts; Windsor, Joelle, Elijah and Noah Roberts; Roxana and Gibson Bretzlaff.

John loved many things including music, the outdoors, gardening and caring for his horses. He and Judy loved singing together in quartets and choirs. John even brought his family into the fun for 10 years as the John Roberts Family Singers who toured the Midwest on most Sunday mornings sharing gospel music at local churches. John was a gifted educator and taught Math at Salem Junior High for 42 years. Another great love of John’s was coaching basketball. His Salem Junior High teams were always successful and he loved leading the boys on his team. John was also a creative and witty writer. He loved to spend time creating prose and lyrics. Occasionally, he would even be ornery enough to publish some of his satire in the local newspapers. After the children moved away, John and Judy helped to launch and lead the Southern Illinois Homecoming Gospel Choir, performing at local churches for 25 years. This group was John’s joy and passion in retirement. This 100 member choir became John’s second family. The friendships from the various choir members and families have been a source of community for the past two decades. During this same time, John hosted the Sunday Morning Gospel radio program listened to by faithful followers around the Southern Illinois area. John and Judy retired to a rural home in Farina, enjoying life on a farm that has been in the family for generations. This Meachem Township property brought dad so much peace and joy! It is where his grandparents lived and farmed and now, he got to continue that legacy. The family wants all who knew John to know how much he lived out an authentic love for Jesus every day. He loved the church and the community of neighbors and friends around Salem, Kinmundy, and Farina. John was a hard worker, an example of daily faith, and a committed husband and father. His three kids were blessed to have a dad who loved them with such joy and care. John was most of all a simple man. He loved his wife, Judy, and family dearly. He loved his garden and his horses. He wanted nothing more than to make the most of each day. He loved his neighbors and friends well!

Services for John will be held at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 24, 2024 with Jeremy Hoffstetter officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd from 5 pm-8 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Salem. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Oil Belt Christian Service Camp, a wonderful place where John and Judy’s kids spent many, many weeks of summer.

"When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!"