Mr. John S. Line, 91, of Knoxville, IL, died peacefully at home on May 22, 2024.
John was born on January 18, 1933, to Bernice and Lucille (Loveridge) Line in Kelly Township. After John graduated from Galesburg High School, Galesburg, Illinois in 1950, he began a long and fruitful career as a farmer. He married the love of his life, Jean Ann (Flynn) Line on September 20, 1952, in Galesburg. She preceded him in death on August 29, 2006, after nearly 54 years of marriage.
John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He and Jean Ann raised five children, David (Cindy) Line of Champaign, Illinois Steve (Mindy) Line of Dallas, Texas, Ellen Newbill of Galesburg, Linda (Alan) Hallberg of Galesburg, and Chris (Bill) Young of Galesburg. John had 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Nancy Line of Galesburg. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard Line and Tommy Line.
John and Jean Ann farmed in the Galesburg and Knoxville area for 49 years before retiring in 1999. John loved to go fishing and spent 70 summers fishing on the Fox River in Wisconsin with friends and family. John was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. He was a loyal supporter of Galesburg High School athletics, especially basketball, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. John was a friend to many, and cherished his lifelong friends from farming, fishing, and card club. Above all else, John loved spending time with his family.
John lived a full and beautiful life. He leaves behind a legacy of family, hard work, generosity, and enthusiasm for life. He will be dearly missed.
The Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel. Visitation will follow from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the chapel. A funeral mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Galesburg. Father Nathan Hopper will officiate. The burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg. In John’s memory, donations can be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society or Galesburg High School Girl’s Basketball. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
