John Duane Massie, 93, of Carthage, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 1, 2025,
at 5:21 am at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.
John was born June 21, 1931, in Keokuk, IA, to Ralph and Clara Massie. He graduated from
Colusa High School in 1949. After high school, he worked as an electrician for Ralph Hoffman
before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1951. While enlisted, he completed an Electrician’s
Mate course, holding the rank of a 3 rd class Petty Officer Electrician until he was discharged in
1954. A memory that he often talked about while enlisted was his ship, the USS Baltimore,
which represented the United States for the Coronation Fleet Review of Queen Elizabeth II in
June of 1953. Upon returning from the US Navy, he and Bob Allen owned a laundromat in
Dallas City, IL, while also running Massie Electric Service. On April 1, 1956, he married Carolyn
Ann Latherow at the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage, IL. John continued his career as an
electrician, working for Montgomery Electric, then becoming an office equipment repairman for
McFarland Supply. When Griffin Wheel opened in 1977, he started as a maintenance electrician
and continued his career with them for 22 years. During his career he wore many hats within
Carthage and Hancock County. John served on the Colusa and Carthage Fire Departments for
many years. Up until this year, he could still be found hanging out at the fire station with the
crew and he never missed a pancake and sausage breakfast. He served on the Carthage City
Council, Jaycee’s, Lions Club, drove cars for Carson Ford, mowed grass for the Park District
and checked in ballots at the courthouse on election day. He served on the Hancock County
Historical Society and as the chairman of the Hancock County Building Commission for 35
years. John had a great love for our courthouse and the old jail on the square. While in his 80’s,
he could still be found doing electrical work and teaching a Fundamentals of Electricity class for
Carl Sandburg College. If you wanted a lamp repaired or a ceiling fan hung, he was the guy to
call. John and Carolyn spent many winters in south Texas, enjoying the sunshine and the
community of friends they made there. Locally, they could be found every evening drinking
coffee at Hardee’s or camping at the Carthage Lake. Actually, John could be found at Hardee’s
every morning and afternoon, too. He never missed an opportunity to share a conversation and
a cup of coffee with a friend, old or new. A great memory of his life was attending the Great
River Honor Flight in 2014, escorted by Maxine Smart. He was proud to be a Veteran of the
United States Navy and spent his last few months residing at the Illinois Veterans Home in
Quincy, IL, where he was honored for his service and lovingly cared for.
John is survived by his daughter: Kim (Warren) Johnson of Carthage, IL; three granddaughters:
Kelly (Josh) Hamm of Macomb, IL, Kortney (Luke) Burling of Carthage, IL, and Erin (Jason)
Schiller of Cohasset, MN; eight great-grandchildren: Connor and Sydney Hamm, Annie, Brooks,
Ry and Ronnie Burling, and Elsa and Abram Schiller. He is also survived by a sister: Martha
Millard of Arenzville, IL; a brother: David (Joan) Massie of Monroe, NC; a sister-in-law: Bernice
Massie of Urbana, IL; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends, especially Jack Curfman
and Dennis Hicks. John was forever grateful to his nephew, Duane Massie, for all the care he
provided for him, not to mention, keeping his social life (and belly) full. Finally, he is survived by
his “babe” and four-legged friend, Chesney.
John is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Massie; three brothers: Harold, Glen and Fred
Massie; brother-in-law: Bob Millard; sisters-in-law: Jean and Virginia Massie, and many great
friends.