John Herschel Vickery, 79, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 9:21 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Stearns Nursing and Rehabilitation in Granite City.
He was born July 22, 1939 in Blytheville, Arkansas, a son of the late John William and Nadine (Hipps) Vickery. He married Deanna R. (Falls) Vickery on May 15, 1964 in Collinsville, Illinois and she survives.
He retired in 2002 from Nameoki Township after many years of dedicated service as a truck driver and also worked many years at the Fairmount Race Track, retiring from the Illinois Racing Board as a vet technician. He had also worked at Dixie Mills in East St. Louis and was a member of the Teamsters Local #525 in Alton. He enjoyed his days of fishing and watching the horse races.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by five children and their spouses, Dawn Vickery of Granite City, Melissa and Kenny Hillmer of Granite City, Lisa Vickery of Columbia, Missouri, Monte and Kelly Vickery of Granite City and Jason and Liz Vickery of Granite City; nine grandchildren, Cortney and Aaron, Robert, Jonathon, Sierra, Abigail, Hannah, Noah, Owen and Brooke; two great grandchildren, Dylan and Brylee; five sisters and their spouses, Wanda Young of Percy, Illinois, Regina and William Smith of Percy, Illinois, Linda and Mark Rieckenberg of Pevely, Missouri, Debbie and Tom Korando of Sparta, Illinois and Mary Jane Vickery of St. Louis; two brothers and spouse, Doug and Mary Vickery of Cutler, Illinois and Kevin Vickery of Percy, Illinois; sister-in-law, Joan Cole of Evansville, Indiana; many nieces; nephews; other extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Troy, Kenneth, Paul, Clyde and Gerald Vickery and a sister, Alma Jean Theobald.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Monday, November 12, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. where funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Desi Allen officiating.
Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice and may be accepted at the funeral home. www.irwinchapel.com
