John Benjamin Grossnickle, 70, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023. John Ben was born to Gerald “Shag” Elijah and Sarah Rose (Maize) Grossnickle on June 7, 1952.in Kirksville, Missouri. John love to say that he was born in “jail” because at the time of his birth, his father was serving as the Adair County sheriff.
John married Mary (Welch) on October 21, 1978. To this union, two children were born, John Andrew Grossnickle and Katharine Marie Grossnickle. They also enjoyed two grandchildren: Christopher Warren and Anthony Warren. John is also survived by his brother Gary “Skip” (Daisy) Grossnickle, his sister Rebecca (Rudy) Riley, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
John was educated entirely in Kirksville–attending Greenwood grade school, graduating from Kirksville High School in 1970 and from Northeast Missouri State University in 1976. In college John Ben was a member of the Sig Tau Gamma fraternity. John began working with his father in the Grossnickle Insurance business in 1973 and continued until his death.
John was raised by parents who were active in the community and from their example he, too, served others in a variety of ways. He was a deacon and long-time member of the First Christian Church. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club achieving 44 years of perfect attendance. John, at the time of his death, was serving on the boards of the Northeast Missouri State Bank, the Pines, Salvation Army, Northeast Missouri Regional Hospital, and the Law Enforcement Restitution Fund. In the past he had served on the YMCA and Kirksville Country Club Boards, chairman of the Athletic Department of Truman State University Bulldog Boosters and a member of the Jaycees, Valley Duck Club, Kirksville Booster Club, the Orange and Black Foundation, Adair Lodge #366, and the El Kadir Shrine Club. After his father’s passing, John continued to sponsor the KBSA Shag’s baseball team.
John Ben had the privilege of meeting so many of Kirksville’s residents that he seemed to know no stranger. He had a smile, a hello, and a big wave for everyone he met.
A masonic service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2023 with visitation following from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 9, 2023 at First Christian Church. Burial will be in Maple Hills Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be John Andrew Grossnickle, Curtiss Bunch, Christian Bunch, Jason Sefrit, Skip Miller, Bill Farr, Ferrel Moots and Gary “Skip” Grossnickle.
Memorials to are suggested to the First Christian Church.
Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO.