Henry Johns

(From Knell Mortuary)

Henry E. Johns, 95, Carthage, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.

Born October, 1920 in St. Louis, MO, son of the late Henry Everett Johns, Sr. and Esther Julia Rosenthal Johns. He was preceded in death by two siblings, Lorraine Schaller and Hazel Marty, grandson Brian Robertson, and his beloved wife of 72 years, Bernice Marie Juangling Johns.

He was a graduate of Normandy High School, St. Louis, MO, 1939.
In July 1942, he married Bernice in Shrewsbury, MO. He served in the Army from 1943 as a pilot in WWII, and honorably discharged in 1945.

He worked in St. Louis for the Chamber of Commerce and the Guardian Life Insurance Company, both in sales, until he was recalled to the U.S. Air Force for the Korean War conflict in 1951.

Henry and Bernice traveled and lived around the world in his military service, visiting and living in Japan, Georgia, California, Nebraska, Morocco, and Guam. Along the way they had ten children, eight daughters; Judith (Jay) Robertson, Niangua, MO; Jean (Robert Burk) Mazza, San Rafael, California; Janice Smalley, Joplin, MO; JoAnne Bennett, Kansas City, MO; Julie Leibbrand, Joplin, MO; Jerri (Ed) Decker, Olathe, KS; Jamie (David) Ishmael, Houston, TX; and Jacqueline (Bruce) Gabriel, Sedalia, MO; two sons, Jeffrey (Vicky) Johns, La Quinta, CA, and Jonathan Johns, Santa Rosa, CA; twenty grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

His primary duties in the service until he retired in 1970 were “personnel and facility management.” He pursued his education diligently, attending numerous training events with the service as well as night school to achieve his bachelor degree at the University of Omaha in Nebraska.

He enjoyed buying and selling antiques, was an amateur magician, and loved to share jokes with friends and family.

After retiring from the air force, he turned his love and knowledge of antiques and collectibles into a business with his wife Bernice. He continued pursuing his education by gaining expert knowledge in many areas of the antique business.
Henry attended church at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Carthage, and was an active member of Knights of Columbus for 63 years, recently receiving a lifetime achievement award. He was always devout in his religion, active at St. Ann’s for 46 years.
He once wrote that he wanted his epitaph to be: “Here lies Henry Johns: He loved God, family and country.”

Rosary will be held 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2016, with visitation following until 7 p.m. at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. Funeral mass will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, August 25, 2016 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Carthage. Interment will follow the service at Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to St. Ann’s Church, St. Ann’s School, or Knights of Columbus in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, MO 64836. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.