John W. Sadler

FITHIAN – John W. Sadler, 76, of Fithian passed away on Monday (Sept. 8, 2014) at Lane Purcell Hospice at Sumterville, Fla.

He was born on Jan. 3, 1938, in Champaign, to John R. and Zelma (Myers) Sadler.

He lived and worked most of his life on a grain and livestock farm in Fithian. He graduated in 1956 from Oakwood High School where he played football, led the student council and played trombone in the band.

John attended Purdue University and earned a B.S. in agriculture in 1960. At Purdue, he was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity, CERES honorary agricultural fraternity, the Purdue Debate Club, and he participated in several campus plays.

After his graduation, he proposed to Carolyn J. Sperry of Danville. John then traveled to Argentina as an International Foreign Youth Exchange (IFYE) student for seven months sharing his knowledge of agronomy.

After returning from Argentina, he married Carolyn on June 11, 1961. They raised two daughters, Marcella (Tom) Kuhn of Bloomington and Michelle Williams of Encinitas, Calif. He was blessed with four grandchildren: Kenzie, Bram, Tynan Williams and Madeline Ling Kuhn. The couple had also resided at Hawthorne in Leesburg, Fla.

In addition to farming, John was a sales representative for Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., and a Certified Crop Advisor. He was a 4-H member and leader.

He contributed to his community with active participation in a variety of roles and memberships including the Fithian Elementary School Board, Ogden Lions Club and Ogden United Methodist Church.

John was a talented musician and played both piano and trombone. Throughout his life he would always seek an opportunity to play his trombone: first in the farmhouse in which he was raised with other area musicians; Oakwood High School Band; "The Has Beens" orchestra; St. Joseph Community Band; and the Hawthorne Orchestra in Leesburg, Fla.

John and Carolyn enjoyed boating. They navigated many waters along the Illinois River and Lake Michigan on their boat "Seabear." John was a member of the Mid-Illini Chapter of the United States Power Squadron and excelled in many navigational courses. His favorite was celestial navigation.

He remained young-at-heart and studious throughout his life. John collected teddy bears, enjoyed photography and loved to build models of World War II tanks, ships and aircraft. He was an active member of the International Modelers Plastic Society. He was an avid reader, historian and was the first to complete the puzzle section of the newspaper.

John and Carolyn enjoyed many years in Florida entertaining old friends and meeting many new ones.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters and four grandchildren. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Leah Sperry; brother-in-law, Larry (Jamie) Sperry; nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Thomas R. Kuhn.

A celebration honoring his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sept. 28, at the Ogden United Methodist Church, 105 W. Main, Ogden.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial gifts may be made to any of John's favorites including: Ogden Lions Club, Purdue Foundation, FarmHouse Fraternity, the Illinois 4-H Foundation, IFYE Association of the USA Inc., Ogden United Methodist Church and Hawthorne at Leesburg Community Orchestra.

Interment will occur at a later date. Online condolences may be left atwww.beyersfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, Fla.