John Elliott

John C. Elliott passed away Sunday, October 20 at home. Due to his health, he took early retirement from the Tribune Star. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age while attending church with his beloved Grandma Pinwell.

He was born to George & Audrey (Penwell) Elliott February 5, 1937 in Greenfield, Ohio.    

Survivors include his loving wife, Jean (Lowry) Elliott whom he married June 25, 1988, son John C. Elliott, Jr. (Viola), daughters Valerie Gates, Lisa Fish (Paul), step-daughter Jenny Rogers, and step-son Joe McGregor, and like a daughter, Nikki Benefiel (Lee). John has 15 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.  His surviving siblings are Norma Jean Cloutier, Mary Alice Hartwell, Marvin Elliott, Donnie Elliott, and Gary Elliott as well as nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Shirley (Williams), parents, step-mother, Alma Elliott, daughter, Christy Jo Anderson, brothers George, Bob, Ray, and grandson Eric Rittenhouse.                         

In his youth, John attended the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home School in Xenia, Ohio where he excelled in the print shop which fueled his love for the newspaper business. He worked in newspapers all over the United States. Before coming to Terre Haute, he taught in the Journalism Department at Ohio State University.

He struggled with poor health for many years but was still able to enjoy life. He had a love of horses and enjoyed going to the races.   When he said, “Let me run something by you” you knew he was up to something!  He is loved and will be missed.

Services will be held at DeBaun Funeral Home, 85 E. Springhill on Friday, October 25 at 1:00 p. m.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to until 1:00 p.m. Pastor Chuck Powell will officiate.

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