John Laurence Armstrong

John Laurence Armstrong, 71, of Springfield, passed away on Saturday March 14, 2015 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on September 4, 1943 in Vandalia, IL., to John and Bessie Elaine Arthur Armstrong. John married Patricia White and they later divorced, he then married Gwendolyn Stelte in Springfield on September 28, 1990 and she survives.

Mr. Armstrong is also survived by his children: Rebecca Michelle (Jess) Davis of Taylorville, John Stelte of Houston, TX., Jeremy Stelte of Springfield, and Jeanette (Craig) Roquemore of Henderson, TX., one daughter-in-law Lori (Tim) Elston of Virden, nine grandchildren: Sarah Ann, Kelsey, Haylee, Shelby Caleb, Faith, Brianne, Christopher, and Justin, two sisters: Metta Ellen (Danny) Burgoyne and Jackie Meyer, four brothers: Charles David (Nicky), James Leslie (Carol), Greg and Dennis Armstrong, and one great-grandchild, he is also survived by his step-mother Gladys Armstrong, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons: Sean Laurence and David P. Armstrong, one sister Sue Blankenship and one stepdaughter Kimberly Stelte.

John was a US Marine who served in Vietnam. He owned the Amoco Station in Springfield on the corner of J. David Jones and North Grand for many years before working as a belt shoveler with Freeman United Coal Mining Company. He was a member of the VFW Post 10302, South Side Christian Church, and he was a cub fan.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm on Friday March 20, 2015 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road with Military Honors conducted by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. The family will meet friends from 10:00am until the time of service Friday at Bisch West. Memorial contributions may be made to: the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the American Heart Association, and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.