John R. Elliott

March 6, 1930 - March 10, 2021

John Raymond Elliott – Aka “Big John,” died Wednesday, March 10, 2021, just a few days after his 91st birthday in the home in Poynette, Wisconsin, where he and his daughter Nancy lived for the last 3 plus years of his great run. His mind was sharp right to the last and his interest in life unwavering. Born in 1930 to Ruth and Frank Elliott, he was raised on their farm in the small town of Paola, Kansas where he had 4 siblings, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. In the early 1950’s, upon meeting, falling in love, and marrying Rose Mary (Zink), he and she, with their first child in tow, moved to St. Louis where he started a business and where they lovingly raised their family of 5 children; Steve, Sharon, Pam, Tom and Nancy. Throughout the years of he and Rose Mary raising their family in Woodson Terrace, Missouri, he was continually involved in the lives and activities of his family, keeping their emotional tanks full of love, direction, re-direction, and encouragement. He also invested in the community, serving his church in multiple capacities, and his city as alderman and mayor pro-tem, all the while keeping up with extended family and neighbors. John and Rose Mary had a passion for family and a desire to grow and nurture strong and loving bonds through the ages as their kids had kids, and grandkids. They worked it together, and after Rose Mary’s passing he continued the mission, some might say “upping the ante” and working to knit the members of his growing family together despite the miles that separated them. He took great pride in his family and didn’t mind keeping track of and sharing the count of members that make up this group; indeed, the whole clan! In considering his legacy, John is survived by his 5 children with 4 spouses/significant others, 14 grandchildren with 11 spouses/significant others, 23 great-grandchildren, his younger sister, Mary Sue, and numerous members of his extended family. The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the many talented, astute, loving, and giving medical, social, and spiritual professionals that guided John through the closing years of his journey. Funeral services will be held in O’Fallon, Missouri, where he lived with Rose Mary, at a time yet to be determined later this year, when it might be possible for as many of the family and friends as they may be available, to participate both in the services and an ensuing “Celebration of his Life” gathering. Visitation: Friday, August 6, 2021 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., Mass at 11:00 in the Vestibule of Immaculate Conception-Dardenne, 7701 Town Square Avenue, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri 63368. Interment of cremated remains with graveside Service at Our Lady Cemetery and Mausoleum, 8701 Orf Road, Lake St. Louis, Missouri 63367. The family requests donations to Heartland Hospice or the American Heart Association in lieu of flowers. A Buchholz Mortuary West Service. Online guestbook at www.buchholzmortuary.com.