John L. Holmes

John Luther Holmes, beloved husband, father and grandfather was called to his heavenly home on Friday morning, August 25, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana IL.  

John was born in Tuscola, IL on March 29, 1951 to Luther and Kathryn Holmes. He married the love of his life, Laurie Sumption, at Newman United Methodist Church on January 9, 1971.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Samantha (Todd) Hutchinson and Jill (Jason) Bosch both of Newman, three grandchildren, Mason Hutchinson, Tyler Hutchinson and Mara Bosch all of Newman.  Two brothers, Jack (Leanor) Holmes, Jeff (Marsha) Holmes and one sister Sheila (Dennis Ray) Holmes, brother-in-law Bobby (Rosie) Sumption and sister-in-law Mary (Marke) Hatfield and several nieces and nephews that he loved very much.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, his father and mother in-law, Robert and Inez Sumption and nephew, Luke Holmes.

Family was important to him. He enjoyed family meals together, holidays and especially cheering on his grandkids and their friends at numerous sporting events. There was never a dull moment with John L.  He loved to hunt and fish and could always tell a good “Hawk’s Nest” story.   

He enjoyed his coal mining career and the many people he worked with at Zeigler Coal Company in Murdock IL, until it closed in 1991.  Unfortunately, in 2015 he was diagnosed with Black Lung Disease, which eventually led him to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for a lung transplant in April of 2016.  This lifesaving gift was one he never took for granted and was always very thankful for.  This gave him seven more years of precious time with his friends and family.  

Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, August 30th at Joines Funeral Home in Newman, IL.  A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 29th from 4-7 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you join them in helping others facing the same transplant journey as John navigated.  To pay it forward to others, the family has set up the “Breathe It All In, Love It All Out” fund to help offset expenses that come with receiving such a blessed lifesaving gift. An account to receive memorials has been set up at First Neighbor Bank in Newman.

“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

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