John W. 'J.W.' Holmes of Carrier Mills

John W. "J.W." Holmes, age 74, and a resident of Carrier Mills, passed away peacefully at 8:55 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018 in the St. Louis University Hospital with his loving family at his side.

J.W. was born on Jan. 14, 1944 in Saline County to the late Walter Holmes and Madeline (Younger) Holmes. He married the former Jennie Lou Sweat on May 31, 1965 and she survives.

J.W. attended the Ledford Baptist Church and he retired as a service technician for GTE/Verizon. He was an avid sportsman, loving to fish and hunt. He enjoyed time with his friends at the Harrisburg Hunter's Club where he also served as a member/treasurer.

He will be greatly missed and loved by his family and many friends and we must not forget the great sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Jennie of Carrier Mills; son, Curt Holmes of Vienna; daughter, Carmen (Shawn) Rees of Marion; grandchildren, Karsyn Holmes. Blake Hall, Kitana Rees, Jaydan Holmes, Tori Rees and Kaidan Holmes; brother, Junior (Barbara) Holmes of Harrisburg; sisters, Mary Ann (Phil) Craig of Carrier Mills and Phoebe Ann Collins of Greenwood, Indiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. The Rev. Gary Graves will officiate the service. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to the service time at noon. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills.

In lieu of flowers, the family's preferred choice of remembrance would be memorials to the Ledford Baptist Church in his memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.