John Russell Porter, Jr.

John Russell Porter, Jr., 69, of Springfield, moved on to his heavenly home at 8:55 a.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at St. Johns Hospital. John was born on March 2, 1948 in Christopher, IL, the son of John Russell, Sr. and Bernadine Aretta Lowery Porter. He married Mary Susan Graham on June 22, 1969 in Springfield. John was a graduate of Springfield High School and attended Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, IA. He was a proud Vietnam veteran and served his country in the United States Navy on the USS New Jersey for 4 years, 11 days, 3 hours and 21 minutes. John was employed by the State of Illinois. He was a member of Grace Church (formerly Berean Baptist Church) for 35 years, a founding member of the Capital City Fencing Academy and a member of Rock Steady Boxing. John enjoyed cooking, singing southern gospel with "The Boys", and writing poetry. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Donald Lee Porter. He is survived by his wife, Mary Susan Porter of Springfield; four children, Susan (husband, Brent) Swensen of Springfield, John Wesley (wife, Jackie) Porter of Xenia, OH, James (wife, Cori) Porter of Springfield, and Debi (husband, Jim) Harris of Cochranville, PA; sixteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and nieces and nephews. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Fox officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Church, 3401 South 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703 or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.