John A. Royce, 67, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 5:32 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born April 6, 1957, in Granite City, a son of the late Bernard and Lanelle (Moore) Royce.
John married Vicki L. (Johnson) Royce on August 17, 1990, at the First Baptist Church of Granite City and she survives.
He served others for 40 years as a realtor and was the managing broker and owner of Royce Realty Inc. in Granite City. He loved taking care of his client’s needs and finding them a place to call home and strived for excellent customer service throughout the years. He enjoyed many years of mentoring and training agents coming into the world of realty. He was a member of the Southwestern Association of Realtors, Greater Gateway Board of Realtors, Granite City Board of Realtors and the Illinois Association of Realtors.
He was a 1975 graduate of Granite City High School where he was named class president and homecoming king. He later attended Northwest Shoals Community College and Westminster College where he also had served as his class president. Along with his sons, he enjoyed years with the Boy Scouts of America attending any activity or outings.
John was very devoted to his community and gave much of his time volunteering with the many organizations he was a member of including the Granite City Elks Lodge #1063, Kiwanis Club of Granite City and the Granite City Jaycees. He was also a founding member of the Good Samaritan House in Granite City and a sponsor of the Granite City High School C.E.O. Program. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church and the Third Baptist Church where he had served on various committees and as a treasurer and was now a faithful member of Unity Baptist Church in Granite City.
He enjoyed his days of riding his motorcycle, always having a project to work on at his home or helping someone else on their project, family fishing trips to Minnesota or attending NASCAR races. He loved days on the Mississippi River with family and friends on his houseboat, “The Cream Puff”. John was known for his kind heart and always helping others. He will be remembered for the love and special times shared with his family and friends.
In addition to his beloved wife of 34 years, he is survived by two sons, Jonathan Royce and Joshua Royce of Granite City; a brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Debbie Royce of Hackleburg, Alabama; a sister, Joanna Royce of Ft. Worth, Texas; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Donna Johnson of Marietta, Georgia; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dr. Cheryl and Steve Compton of St. Charles, Missouri; many nieces; nephews; other extended family and friends.
In celebration of his life, a memorial visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 4 p.m. until time of a memorial service at 7 p.m. with Pastor Jarad Corzine officiating.
A private burial will be at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.
Memorials may be made to The Good Samaritan House in Granite City and may be accepted at the funeral chapel.
