Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Major John Totten
Jan 23rd, 1938 - Oct 7th, 2017Major John Michael Totten, United States Army, Retired, age 79, of Flora, IL, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at Clay County Hospital in Flora.
John was born January 23, 1938, in rural Richland County, IL, the son of Francis Donald and Theda (McWilliams) Totten.
John attended Finance School at Ft. Harrison, IN (1960); Officer Candidate School (1966-67) and Officer’s Advanced Course at Ft. Sill, OK (1971-72); and Hartnell College at Lawton, OK (1972-73). John graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Cameron University in Lawton, OK.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. John attended basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC, in 1959, and he was active duty from 1960-62 and 1963-80, during which time he completed tours in Germany, France, Vietnam, and Greece, and was a Field Artillery Instructor at Ft. Knox, KY, from 1977-80.
John became a Licensed Real Estate Broker from 1980 through 2003. He enjoyed bird watching, military history, family history, and his family. John was a member of the Flora American Legion Post #14 and a member of the Flora Postal Retiree Association.
John married Roseann Osterman on April 28, 1960, and they later divorced in 1981. He married Alice Lewis on February 18, 1982, and together they have shared over 35 years of marriage.
John’s children include: Jennifer Bible of Melbourne, FL; Alison Coble (husband Ronnie) of Greencastle, IN; and Jeremy Totten, Debra Ritchie (husband Harry), Pamela Gogerty, and V. Jill Henderson (husband Dan) all of Flora. He is also survived by a brother: Pat Totten (wife, the late Linda) of Winder, GA; as well as several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers: Joe, Fred, and Ed Totten.
A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at Antioch Christian Church, South Higgins Switch Road, Olney, IL. A graveside service and burial will follow at Olive Branch Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, and at the church on Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. Military funeral honors will be presented 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, and on Wednesday at Olive Branch Cemetery following the funeral service. Memorial donations are suggested to Antioch Christian Church and will be accepted through the funeral home.