John H. Spears, age 78 of rural Stronghurst, Illinois died at 4:50 a.m. Wednesday January 7, 2009 in the University Of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. He was born May 28, 1930 in Barrington, Illinois, the son of William and Mabel Berghorn Spears. On July 24, 1955, he married Helen Wahl in Naperville, Illinois.

John was a lifelong farmer in the Stronghurst area. He had served on the Henderson County Board, Media and Southern School Boards, the Board of Directors of Bridgeway in Galesburg, and the Walnut Grove Cemetery Board. He had served as Share food coordinator for many years and also was Media Township Auditor for several years. He was a member of the Biggsville Lions Club and was an elder and deacon of the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include his wife, three daughters - Susan (and Robert) Scheer of LeClaire, Iowa, Janet (and Mark) Brewer of Tuscon, Arizona, Joanne (and Kevin) Swanson of Lawrenceville, Georgia, two sons - Tim (and Anna) Spears of Chicago, Illinois, Tom (and Carol) Spears of Washington, Iowa, nineteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one brother - William Spears of Vale, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday January 10, 2009 at the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church, followed by funeral services at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery near Media, Illinois. Family and friends are invited to return to the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church following the services for a luncheon and time of fellowship and remembrances. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund.