John L. Straight, 82, of Fort Branch passed away Monday, March 24, 2014 at Deaconness Gateway Hospital in Evansville.

John was born on March 30, 1931 in Ellery, Ill., to John and Mae (Jackson) Straight, both of which precede him in death.

On Aug. 21, 1952, in Ellery, Ill., he was married to Mary Elizabeth Smerdon, with whom he faithfully shared his life with until her passing on July 12, 2012. 

John served in the U.S. Air Force as an AP and was assigned to the security detail at the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was a former dairy delivery driver for Meadowgold Dairies in Ill. for a few years, than worked at Whirlpool for a brief time and eventually operated a cold catch mill for ALCOA for 28 years. John faithfully attended and was a member of Bethel Memorial Church in Princeton.

Survivors include sons, Russell Straight of Wadesville, and Marvin Straight of Henderson, Ky., and daughters, Karen (Don) Marshall of Fort Branch; Lesa (Paul) Kerney of Fort Branch, and Brenda (Kip) Huston of Fort Branch. Other survivors include brother, Bill (Stella) Straight of Wesley, Ark.; sister, Clella (Charles) Waters of Albion, Ill., grandchildren, Stanley; Rodney and Shawn Straight; Angela Welker; Bruce Marshall; Brooke Mitchell; Kyle Marshall; Leann and Laresa Kerney; Samantha Begeman; Amanda Straight; Madison and McKenzie Hillard, great – grandchildren, Hannah, Ian and Lucas Straight; Andrew Denny; Dustin and Anna Marie Welker; Sierra and Cheyenne Straight; Bryce and Catalyn Mitchell.

John was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Mary. He is also preceded in death by brother, Edgar, and sisters, Wilma Belt; Alberta Kuester; Mary Pack; Loraine Seibert; Lela Reeder; Martha Straight and Virginia Straight, grandchildren, John David Straight and great-grandchildren, Rodney Jr. Straight and Austin Mitchell.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Bethel Memorial Church, located at 1520 S. Main St. Princeton, IN with Pastor Kevin Wilson officiating.  Internment will take place at Graceland Cemetery located in Albion, Ill.

Visitation will be Friday, March 28, 2014, at Bethel Memorial Church from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday March 29 from 9 a.m. until time of service.