The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • B6

6B SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 SUNDAY NEWS-LEADER SL-GCI0565747-13 Obituaries More obituaries on the next page SPRINGFIELD, MO John Alvis Reece, born Jan- uary 29, 1943, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 4, 2021 with family by his side. He was born in Vanzant, MO where he attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, graduated from Mountain Grove High School, and then went on to attend college at both Southwest Baptist University and Oklahoma Baptist University where he received degrees in music. He then taught music at several schools before embarking on his ultimate long, adventurous career with the Civil Service, directing morale, welfare, and recreation support programs for the Army and Air Force all over the world. He lived and served in Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Greenland, and all over the U.S. before retiring, but having developed a serious case of wanderlust, he continued to travel all over the world.

In addition to a deep curiosity to constantly learn about new places and things, he had a never-ending appetite to learn about people, and made fast friends wherever he would go. His magnetic personality certainly contributed, but also his genuine interest in hearing about lives and stories. He had an empathy and caring for people that was undeniable and true. He could tell stories like no other, and never shied from being outspoken about causes for which he was passionate. Equality, diversity, and peace were tenets he held dear, and he sought out opportunities to stand with others in support.

He was preceded in death by his dad and mom, William Alvis and Florence Sue (Roper) Reece. He is survived by his brother, Bill Reece (Kathy), sister, Anne Reynolds (David Belt), nieces and nephew, Stephanie Haase (Darrell), Jill Kollmann (Mark), Steve Reece (Juliebeth), and Jan Baker (Mark), along with several great and great-great nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed. As he expressly wished, no formal services are planned, but we sincerely hope you will all find special ways to remember him. Raise a glass, laugh, sing around the piano, enjoy a spectacular meal all things he loved.

Dona- tions in his name may be made to The Glo Center (https://www.glocenter. or to the Springfield Regional Arts Council springfieldarts.org/). is lovely never dies, but passes into another loveliness, Star-dust or sea-foam, Flower or winged Thomas Bailey Aldrich John Alvis Reece Jerry Johnston, known to most as passed away on September 19, 2021, at the age of 82 after complications due to a fall. JJ was born and grew up in Springfield, Missouri to Edith and Eugene Johnston. He was the youngest in the family that included his brother Jim Johnston and sister Joan Keiser.

He resided in Nixa, Missouri for the past 36 years. After graduating high school, JJ served our coun- try in the Army in the Korean War. outgoing personality then led him to an extremely successful career in sales. His sales career began at Dayco Corporation, which took him and his family to Dayton, Ohio, Omaha, Nebraska, and Dallas, Texas. He retired from Dayco as the Senior Vice President of Sales.

But retirement stop JJ, so in 1985 he bought a motorcycle dealership, Cycles, and moved back to Springfield where he had reconnected with his best Ginny Johnston. He finally sold the business and retired 31 years later in 2016. JJ never met a stranger and was known for his sense of humor, giving speeches and advice, and his positive outlook on life. He loved all sports. He especially loved his Dallas Cowboys and St.

Louis Cardinals, and he enjoyed watching the MSU Bears basketball games. Because he loved the Cowboys so much, his family thinks the Cowboys won their game on September 19th just for JJ! He played all kinds of sports during his life, including basketball, baseball, and golf. In high school he was known for his basketball skills (and other antics) at Central High School in Springfield. Because he loved playing golf, he eventually ended up in Fremont Hills and lived on the golf course. He loved all social functions, such as participating in the Central High School Class of reunions and throwing Super Bowl parties for his friends.

JJ loved his family and gave much care and support to them and his friends. In addition to Ginny Johnston and her three children who all live in Missouri, JJ is survived by his children from his ex-spouse (Carol Johnston), daughters Toni Stephens of Dallas and Taren Hamblen of Joplin, Missouri, and son Jay Johnston of Springfield; grandchildren Hillary Hamblen of Portland, Oregon, and Nick Hamblen and Rachel and Ryan Messer of Dallas, and Piper Johnston of Springfield; sister Joan Keiser; and countless extended family members and wonderful friends. He was preceded in passing by his parents and brother. JJ loved watching westerns. John Wayne once said, have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me.

The others can do whatever the hell they Those who knew JJ would probably agree that the quote is a good summary of his life. A celebration of life will be held at Cassidy United Methodist Church (www.cassidychurch.org/) in Nixa on October 16, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. His family will be present to welcome friends and loved ones. At a later date, his ashes will be interred at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Springfield next to his parents. JJ was a big dog lover, and he is also survived by Yadi, his beloved Ha- vanese.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Human Society of Southwest Missouri (www.swh.org), or your local Humane Society, in honor would be greatly appreciated. Jerry Johnston LOS ANGELES Juli Reding Hutner, of Los Ange- les, CA, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Springfield, MO, on September 16, 2021. One of seven children, Juli was born in Quanah, TX, to Roy and Ruth (Wallace) Reding. Juli was raised in Branson, MO, graduated from Branson High School and attended Southwest Missouri State University before moving to Los An- geles, CA, to pursue her passion of acting. Juli had a successful career in Hollywood and, among her honors, was named Los Angeles Press of 1960, the of Los Angeles Hollywood for the Christmas Lane Parade, and U.S.

Air Juli was also signed to a Warner Bros contract. Her TV credits include guest roles in Kil- Adventures of Ozzie Red Skelton and She among others. Juli also had her own local talk show in Los Angeles called which ran on KCOP, Channel 13. Her film career included starring roles in In and she also appeared in the films Must I and Helen Morgan In the Juli met the love of her life, investment banker and philan- thropist Herbert L. Hutner, whom she married in 1969.

Juli and Herb had a wonderful life together, travelling the world and donating their time to the many causes and charities they supported. Juli was a genuine person who never lost her mid-western warmth and charm. She could truly walk among both princes and paupers, yet would make everyone feel special and loved. Juli wanted to help everyone, befriend everyone, and invite everyone to dinner! She really did liven up the room with her presence and people loved being around her. Juli was preceded in death by parents Ruth and Roy Reding; her husband Herbert L.

Hutner; her former husband Reese H. Taylor, her son Aaron Curtis Taylor; and her siblings Virginia Gray, Helen Workman, Billie Beckman, Edward Reding, and Jack Reding. She is survived by her son Christopher D. Taylor (Kyle), and the her grandson, Christopher H. Taylor.

Juli is also survived by her sister Judy Siebert (Jack); her stepchildren Lynn Colwell (Steve) and Jeffrey J. Hutner (Jamie); and numerous nieces and nephews. No formal services will be held, but the family will host a celebration of life for her friends and family at the home of Kyle and Chris Taylor on October 2nd at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Juli Hutner to Help Give Hope, 2733 E. Battlefield, Springfield, MO 65804 (or helpgivehope.

Harmony House, PO Box 3541, Springfield, MO 65808 (or thru their website: www.myharmonyhouse.org); or Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, 620 W. Republic Ste. 107, Springfield, MO 65807 (or thru their website: bcfo.org) Juli left her mark on the world and the hearts of everyone she touched. She will be forever loved and gravely missed by all. Juli Reding Hutner.