John William Greer (1928-2023)

John William “John Bill” Greer, Marshfield, MO, son of Joseph R. and Verna M. (Young) Greer was born on October 22, 1928, in Webster County, MO, and departed this life on December 18, 2023 in Springfield, MO. At the time of his passing, he was 95 years 1 month and 26 days old.

John Bill was united in marriage to Jean Eloise Tindle on August 2, 1947, and they were blessed with three children.

John Bill was a lifelong member of Mission Home Baptist church. He also attended the Marshfield United Methodist church with his family. He was a longtime member of both the Marshfield Lions Club and the Webster Lodge #98. He served on the boards of Webster Electric Cooperative, Sho-Me Power Corporation, Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA), Citizens State Bank and the advisory board of Liberty Bank. He also served as president of the Webster County Fair.

John Bill was a farmer, merchant, and banker. In their early married life John and Jean were dairy farmers in the St. Luke community. However, the 24/7 rigors of the dairy farmer’s life took its toll on his health. So, in 1959 they purchased the Burchfield-Day Appliance store on the square in Marshfield. They renamed the store 5-J Appliance after the first initials of all their first names. As you can imagine he hit the ground running and turned the store into one of the most successful GE and Zenith brand stores in the region. In 1970 after ten years in the appliance business, he shifted gears and went to work for Citizens State Bank, rising to the office of president of the bank before retiring in 1994 John Bill was the recipient of many awards and accolades during his working life and they were all well deserved.

He and Jean were a great team. He would not have received these honors without her support and love.

His second love, after his family, was his love for hunting and the outdoors. He enjoyed many trips hunting bear and mountain lion in New Mexico, elk in Colorado, pheasants in Kansas and exotic animals in Africa. John Bill also harvested many deer and turkey on his farm.
His biggest joy was his family. He was very proud of them and their accomplishments. If one of his children or grandchildren were performing on the ball field, volleyball court, basketball court, ice hockey rink, soccer pitch or the band, dance or music stage he and Jean were there. They were their biggest supporters.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth Greer Bruce Dawson; and most notably his loving wife of 67 years, Jean.

John Bill is survived by his daughter, Joan Cologna and her husband, Jim, of Springfield, MO; two sons, Jim Greer and his wife, Becky, of Edmond, OK and John T. Greer and his wife, Shari, of Wimberley, TX. Six grandchildren, James Greer and his wife, Andrea, Shannon Frizzell, Joseph Greer and his wife Lupita, Juliana Cologna Hudson and her husband, Mark, Jenalee Cologna Edwards and her husband, David, and Jeremy Cologna; seven great- grandchildren, Jackson Greer, Emily Greer, Greer Hudson, Luke Hudson, Julian Guzman, Jolene Greer-Rodriguez, and Kayson Edwards; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and father-in-law. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will cherish his memory for the rest of our lives.

Funeral services for John William Greer will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Day Funeral Home, Marshfield, Missouri.  Masonic Services, conducted by Glen Cron of Webster Lodge #98, will begin at 5 p.m., Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Day Funeral Home followed by visitation until 7 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral service at Marshfield Cemetery, Marshfield, Missouri. 

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Marshfield Lion's Club or Webster Lodge #98. Online condolences may be made at www.dayfh.com.