Johnnie M. Monroe

Johnnie M. Monroe died on October 8, 2024 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.  He was born September 4, 1936 in Shawneetown, IL to Loren & Edna (Cummins) Monroe, who both preceded him in death.

He married Carolyn (Adler) Monroe on December 19, 1964 & she preceded him in death on August 3, 2012.  He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Robert Monroe & Loren Dale Monroe, & by his brother-in-law Harold Adler.

He is survived by his fiance' -  Mary Adler;  his daughter - Beverly Jo (Moe) St. Arnault;  his grandson -  Brian (Rhonda) Rigsby;  his great granddaughter -  Brianna Rigsby;  & by the following nieces & nephews -  Karra Adler,  Loren (Adrienne) Monroe,  Robin (Dale) Turner,  Dean (Kirsten) Monroe,  Rebecca (Joe) Gould,  &  Angela (Nick) Coursen;  &  his brother-in-law -  Bill (Kris) Adler.  He is also survived by 14 great nieces & great nephews, & several step grandchildren & step great grandchildren, as well as Johnny (Mary) Witt, who Johnnie & Carolyn raised as their own for many years.

Johnnie was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Elgin, IL, for many years, where he served as a Deacon & completed several missionary trips to Mexico.  He was also an active member of the New Douglas Madison #560 & Staunton #177 Masons,  The Ainad Shriners of Southern Illinois,  The Legion of Honor,  & the Hillbilly Clan #39 Lodge.

He spent a lot of his spare time doing wood-working, photography, leather-working, & many other craft works.  One of Johnnie's most amazing traits was his love for children, which is why he had such a passion to be part of the Shriners organization.  He was also a Boy Scout Leader & Baseball Coach for many years & never met a kid he didn't try to help;  this is why so many looked up to him as a father figure.

Johnnie served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1956, & was a disabled vet that survived a neck injury when he was young that paralyzed him from the neck down, yet he fought through that & lived a full & inspiring life.  Johnnie was a person that lived life to the fullest & didn't let anything stop him from doing what he enjoyed.  He went full throttle at all times & never let any grass grow under his feet.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, October 18, 2024 at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton, IL, with Masonic Services to be held at 7:30 PM on Friday evening.  Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton, IL, with Anthony Hudson officiating.  Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton, IL.

Memorials are suggested to Shriners Children's Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

The Staunton Military Honor Guard will conduct graveside military rites.

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