« Return to Obituaries | Print
Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2017
Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2017
Interment: Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery, Flora
John J. Buckley, age 69, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2017, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
John was born May 13, 1947 in Boston, MA, the son of John C. and Geneva (McLaughlin) Buckley. He married Vickie D. Guinn on January 10, 1975, at the Evangelical Methodist Church in Flora.
John worked in the insurance industry for 31 years and operated Buckley Insurance. He had served as President of US Bank and more recently was a Loss Control Specialist for Sandner Group. John joined the Flora Fire Department in 1976 and was a First Responder. He was a past member of First Baptist Church and a current member of First Christian Church, where he shared in the love of Christ through community outreach and serving on the Four Corner building committee.
For over 30 years, John and Vickie have been avid supporters of the Flora Wolves, attending so many games they’ve lost count. He was an avid golfer throughout life and spent a lot of time thinking about the next round of golf. He enjoyed fishing, traveling to places including his birthplace of Boston, and walking on the beach collecting seashells. John’s family was at the center of his life, and he often expressed how much he treasured the love shared with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife: Vickie Buckley of Flora; children: Stassi (Stacy) Hardage of Nashville, TN, Shawn (Teri) Buckley of Montgomery, Mandy (Jeff) Dennis of Flora, Megan (Seth) Bayless of Glen Carbon, and Beth (Dalton) Hilmes of Flora; grandchildren: Emily and John Buckley, Kaden and Kyler Dennis, Landon and Reid Bayless, and soon to arrive Judson Hilmes; along with several grand-dogs, in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and father-in-law and mother-in-law: Lyman and Alma Guinn.
A funeral service for John Buckley will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2017, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, with Loren Holloway officiating. Interment will follow in Floral Garden of Memories. A visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Frank & Bright Funeral Home. Memorial donations in John’s memory are suggested to First Christian Church or Flora Fire Department and these will be accepted at the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence with the family, visit www.frankandbright.com.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
You will be greatly missed John.
Kyler, Kayden and family, I am so sorry for your loss. John was a great Papa, Dad and Husband. Praying for peace and comfort through your grief. Love and hugs, Bridget
Sorry for your loss, known John for many years, was a very nice person, will be missed by many.
Vicky and family, I have known your family for many years. So sorry for your loss. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you during this difficult time and the days ahead. John was always so kind to me. He will be missed by many.
Vickie and Family: We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. Our hearts hurt for y'all and for the loss of our friend. We have 20 years of memories to draw on...good times. Please know that you are each in our thoughts and prayers. May God grant y'all the peace, comfort and strength you each will need during this difficult time and in the days ahead. RIP John ❤
Vickie, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and each member of family. I do pray that God will grant you strength and comfort during this difficult time of loss.
Vicki and family, we are still in our thoughts and prayers. God needed another wonderful person and he chose John to walk those streets of gold. May GOD give you all peace and comfort.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. John was a great man loved by everyone. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers
So very sorry for your loss..my heart hurts for you all. May God hold you all so very close at this time. You are all loved by so many and we will be here for you.
So sorry for your loss. John helped us through a difficult time
Jeff and Mandy, may your faith help you during this difficult time. Thinking of you.
Vickey and family-we are deeply sorry to hear of the loss of such a great friend. Even though we have been gone many years, we often thought about the many laughs and great stories John gave us. We are so grateful your family was part of our lives. Our boys had great times together and John will always be in all of our hearts.
Vickie We are so sorry to hear of John's death. He was always so helpful and such a good friend. We are so glad we got to visit with him when we were in Flora this summer. Know that you are all in our Prayers.
Our sincere sympathies to the Buckley family. John was a super nice guy who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Peace be with you all during this difficult time.
So Sorry for your loss. John was a great man and fireman. He will be truly missed.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all
Vickie & Family, so sorry for your loss, may you find comfort in your faith in God. Just to let you all know that John was one of the best bosses I ever work for, we became good friends as well as co-workers. What a super guy!! Love to your family
My heartfelt condolences
I'm sorry for your loss, John was a very nice man, and he will be missed. I will say a prayer for John's family gone but not forgotten. May God Bless his family.
Vickie and family, so sorry for your loss. Keeping you in prayer and may God comfort you at this difficult time and in the days ahead.
Vickie and family, We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you at this didficult time.
Sorry for your loss. I was fortunate to get to know John through his phone calls to our office for computer support. I will miss our conversations about politics and baseball (Cubs and Cards). I'm glad to have known him.
We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
John was an integral part of the FTHS Class of '65. He was a smart, funny, well-liked and kind classmate--an all-around great guy who became an important pillar in the Flora community. John, you made us proud.
John was such a good guy--a much-admired friend for 55-plus years. I fondly remember our good times in junior high and high school, and at FTHS Class of 1965 reunions he helped organize in the years since. With John's passing, we lost a great classmate.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping your family in prayers.
My deepest sympathies to Vickie and John's entire family for your loss. I first met John when we were small children at the First Baptist Church and had the honor of being his classmate for many years. Rest in peace, my friend.
Vickie, Dave and I are so sorry to hear of John's passing. Our condolences to you and your family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days. I pray that God grant you strength, comfort and peace.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family. So sorry for your loss.
Vickie and family---- extending my sympathy to you at this very difficult time. John will be missed.
We have lost a great friend. Condolences to the family. May God hold you in the hallow of His Hands and grant your family peace.
Vickie and Family, we were so sorry to hear that John passed. We pray that God will comfort you and give you the strength you all need in the days ahead. John was such a great Christian man, such a kind and caring person. he will be missed by all.
Sorry for your loss but he is in heaven having fun. He might be gone but not forgotten.
We are sorry to hear of your loss. John was a very nice man and a good business man. He will be missed. Our condolences to all of his family. RIP, John.
Back in the DAY I at First Baptist will miss Bro John Buckley and Bob Kohler RIP....
What a wonderful man and he always had a smile! I am so glad we got to fellowship with him. He will be missed!
The Wilfong Family sends deepest sympathy for your loss. John was the BEST!!!!!!
Thoughts and prayers for strength during the difficult days and months ahead. Prayers for you all.
Sorry for your loss. Been praying for family and friends all along. My mother Helen (Greenwood) Dulaney was a cousin to Alma and always spoke highly of your family.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers going up for the family.
Shawn and family, So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers for comfort are with you and yours during this difficult time. I always enjoyed playing golf with John and was fortunate to have him as partner in league this past summer. God bless
Sympathy is extended to The Family. Sorry for Your Loss.
John was a friend as well as a dedicated Fireman and will be missed.
Our hearts go out to you in this time of sorrow.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mandy, please know that I send my condolences to you all. Jodi
So sorry to hear of John's passing. I only knew him for a short time, but enjoyed the time we spent talking each fall at Allendale School. From myself, the Board of Education, and the faculty/staff of Allendale CCSD 17, our thoughts are with the family and we are sorry for your loss.
May your hearts be filled with memories of his love... And may your final vision be of him smiling. It's the greatest gift we can give to those we leave behind.
To John's Family- I didn't know John very well. He would stop by our school from time to time to assist us with different things. He was always professional and courteous. Most of all, he loved talking about high school sports. I enjoyed my conversations with John. He was one of the good guys! From everyone at Centralia High School, please accept our heartfelt condolences. Chuck Lane-Superintendent Centralia High School
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for your peace and comfort.
Thoughts and prayers with you all during this difficult time. Sorry very sorry for your loss. Love to you all!
Vicky, praying for you and your family. Many fun memories of John at the golf course both watching and playing along with him. He will be greatly missed!!!!
So sorry for your families loss. You are all in our prayers. We feel very thankful that we had an opportunity to meet John and spend some time with him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
I worked with John at The Sandner Group. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sorry for your loss
Vicki so sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Sorry to hear of the passing of John. I worked with John several years providing insurance in the early years of Hella & NAL. May God be with you and your family during your loss.
So sorry for your loss. A lot of great memories of 7th street.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort during this difficult time and in the days ahead. Much love to all of you.
My sincerest condolences to John's family.
I met John 40 or so ago when he was a young agent and he was a young agent. Even then I learned quickly that he was a good friend to have. His intelligence, integrity and presence was always comforting. I also learned never to argue with him because he would be so prepared you would quickly surrender! He was simply a great guy. We are diminished..... OFTGGHA
Our deepest sympathies to your family. I never met John, but I feel I know him from all of Shawn's stories at work. Sorry for your loss.
Vickie so sorry for the loss of your husband.God be with you and your family and give you strength.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers!!
Vicky and family, we were so very sorry to hear about John. We are in Florida for the winter and won't be able to attend the funeral but want you all to know you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Vickie and family, So sorry to hear about John"s passing. Thinking back to his Jr. High School years, John was a good student, great athlete, placing 1st in the 800 Meter Relay and 2nd in the 200 Meter IJHAA Championship in 1960. We have remained friends throughout the years. He will be missed.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
Shawn, many hugs and prayers for you and your family. My sincere thoughts are with you, there are not enough words or correct words to help ease your pain. Theresa Cartwright, Vesuvius
I will miss John as will all of the members of the Class of 1965. I always looked forward to seeing him, especially at our class reunions. John had a great sense of humor. We both were on the football team. The team was NEC co-champion in 1964. We lost one game. At our 40th class reunion John arranged to have the 1964 team recognized at half time. As we stood on the field the public address announcer introduced the team. He said that we were 1964 NEC champions and were ranked seventh in the state that year. As we were walking off the field I told John that I knew that we were NEC champs but I didn't remember being ranked seventh in the state. John said I told them that, nobody knows who was ranked seventh in the state in 1964. He was right. Miss you John and so does everyone else in our class. My condolences to your family. Tom
Our heartfelt sympathies To Vickie and the Entire Family. John was an encouraging soul and we will definitely miss him and his spirit. May The Lord comfort all of you and give you peace and strength to meet each day ahead.
We are so sorry for your loss. We will continue to pray for your family. John will be so very missed!
We thought John was one of the 'white hat guys', he was such a joy to be around when we were all younger.
Prayers and love to your family.
So sorry for your loss!
I very much enjoyed my association with John at Brokers' Risk Placement Service and The Sandner Group. He was a wonderful man with even a bigger heart. I extend my condolences to all of his family.
Vicki I am so sorry for your loss. God is with you during your grieving. HE is beside you always.
Our sympathy are with you & the Family.
Dear Vickie, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you and your family
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
