John Junior King, 86, of Rockford, Ohio, passed away Wednesday morning at home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in St. Marys township, Decatur, Indiana, on May 21, 1933. He was the son of John L. and Glennis B. (Roop) King. John graduated from Pleasant Mills High School, in Pleasant Mills, Indiana, in the Class of 1953. On December 30, 1960, he married the love of his life, Joan Barker, who survives at their home in Rockford.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean Conflict. John lived in Rockford the past 57 years, coming from Pleasant Mills, Indiana. He was a life-long farmer in Rockford, and he loved farming and loved fishing back at the river. He enjoyed taking his children everywhere with him when they were young, especially taking them to the river to fish. His children and grandchildren meant everything to him, and he spent many fun hours with them. Just like his children, when they were young, he took the grandkids everywhere he went - he had wonderful times with Joan and all their family members.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Joan, are 3 sons: Neil (Tami Dutcher) King, Michael (Ann) King, and Scott King; 3 daughters: Diann Searight (Eric Sanders), Faye (Rod) Cheek, and Mary (Kenny) Stocklin, and 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are 2 brothers: Terry King, and Dean (Kathleen) King; and 3 sisters: Carolyn Sue Braun, Linda (Robert) Railey, and Rita (Ken) Johnson; brother-in-law, Wilferd Davis and sisters-in-law, Kaki Barker and Marcile King.

Deceased are a brother Leonard King and a sister Berneice Davis; also deceased are brothers-in-law, Floyd Braun and Steve Barker; and sister-in-law, Shirley King.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Ernie Suman officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford. Military graveside rites will be performed by the Rockford and Willshire American Legion Posts.

Friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home on Friday, July 12, from 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., and on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be directed to the Rockford Historical Society or to the Parkway F.F.A.

Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.