John Monroe

John Charles Monroe, 73, of Millersville died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 4, 1949, in Cape Girardeau to Esther Stein and John Richard Monroe. He and Debra Propst Monroe were married March 25, 2000, in Millersville.

He was baptized and confirmed in Evangelical United Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau. In 2004, he joined Millersville United Methodist Church.

John attended College High School in Cape Girardeau, graduating in 1967. He then attended Southeast Missouri State University.

He grew up in the family business, Monroe Glass Co., where he eventually became warehouse manager and co-owner. He also worked on the family's farm at Cedar Lake near Millersville. He later became owner-operator of Vanduser Quick Stop. He was a 50-year member of Westview Masonic Lodge No. 103.

In his early years, he loved to swim and ski, and was a certified scuba diver. He enjoyed fishing and working in his garden, growing a wide variety of vegetables and flowers. In his later years, he spent his spare time sitting on the front porch of his home in Millersville, watching wildlife, wild birds and the hundreds of hummingbirds that visited his feeders each summer.

John endured multiple health problems over the years with amazing strength and dignity. His ability to bounce back often surprised everyone. He fought the good fight even until the last day of the battle that finally took him from us.

He will be remembered as a loving husband and father. He found much joy in his many cats over the years, most recently Smoki and Tigger Bob.

Survivors include his wife and two daughters, Heather A. Monroe of St. Louis and Courtney L. Monroe of Columbia, Missouri.

John was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Timothy Monroe, and sister-in-law, Tanya K. Monroe.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Janet Hopkins officiating.

Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to The Marfan Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.