John Seward Wills, 92, of Mt. Vernon, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon with his family by his side.
He was born May 31, 1930, in Morristown, New Jersey, the son of John Haff and Catherine (Cummings) Wills. He married Margaret Ann Ergenbright on June 16, 1951, in the chapel at the University of Virginia, and she preceded him in death on August 23, 2022, after 71 years of marriage.
John is survived by his children, John R. Wills and wife Tammy of Mt. Vernon; Jan Lacey and husband Jeff of Mt. Vernon; and Melinda Carmain and husband Mike of Kokomo, Indiana; grandchildren: Jonathon, Danielle, Brittany, Steven, Amie, Ryan, Ashleigh, Taylor, Kirsten, Dalton, and Brooke; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Flynn of West Chester, Pennsylvania; niece Kara Wilson: nephews, Kevin Flynn, Craig Flynn, and Shawn Flynn; sister-in-law: Beverly Ergenbright of Crozet, VA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and sister-in-law, Richard and Elizabeth Wills, and brothers-in-law, James R. Flynn and Richard “Dick” Ergenbright.
John graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in accounting, was a Veteran of the United States Navy, and retired Internal Revenue Service agent. In his younger years, he greatly enjoyed waterskiing, hunting, trout fishing, camping, and traveling. John was a member of the American Legion Post 141 in Mt. Vernon and the Elks Lodge #819.
Graveside Services for John S. Wills will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 11:00 am at Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon with Pastor Joshua York officiating. Military rites will be accorded at the grave by the Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141. In memory of John, memorial donations may be made to the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, which is honored to be of service to the Wills Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.
