John Russell 'Johnny' Curtis
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John Russell "Johnny" Curtis, 71, of Hillsboro, passed away early Saturday morning, Sept. 9, 2017 at The Laurels of Hillsboro with his family at his bedside.
He was born Dec. 8, 1945 in Samantha, the son of the late Orvel L. and Imogene Louise (Burns) Curtis.
He was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in his youth and was baptized by Rev. T.H. Abercrombie. From 1954-56, he was a Lincoln School Marching Student to protest segregation.
Following graduation from Hillsboro High School, John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked for several years at the Irwin Auger Bit in Wilmington and then retired from Pittsburgh Paint and Glass in Circleville.
He is survived by two children, John R. (Tonya) Curtis, Jr. of Hillsboro and Robin (Patrick) Beard of Chillicothe; six grandchildren, Chelsea Curtis, Brandon Curtis, Kobe Curtis and Chloe Curtis, all of Hillsboro, Brooklynn Beard of North Carolina and Tre Beard of Chillicothe; three great-grandchildren, Cordell Curtis, Cherill Curtis and Peighton Curtis; a sister, Eleanor (James H.) Cumberland of Hillsboro; three nephews, James L. Cumberland, Mark (Peggy) Cumberland and Chad Cumberland; a niece, Heather Cumberland Delgado; and two paternal aunts, Ethel Curtis Medley and Frances Curtis Hill, both of Wilmington.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Zimmerman Curtis; an infant son, Scott Curtis; and a sister, Marjorie Orvena Curtis.
In keeping with John's desire to help others, he requested that his body be donated to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Rev. Patty Burns will officiate. The family will receive from 3 p.m. until the time of the service at 4 p.m. on Thursday. At the conclusion of the service, the Highland County Honor Guard will present military honors at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family in the High Top Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan Outreach, 537 N. East St., Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
To leave condolences to the family, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.
He was born Dec. 8, 1945 in Samantha, the son of the late Orvel L. and Imogene Louise (Burns) Curtis.
He was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in his youth and was baptized by Rev. T.H. Abercrombie. From 1954-56, he was a Lincoln School Marching Student to protest segregation.
Following graduation from Hillsboro High School, John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked for several years at the Irwin Auger Bit in Wilmington and then retired from Pittsburgh Paint and Glass in Circleville.
He is survived by two children, John R. (Tonya) Curtis, Jr. of Hillsboro and Robin (Patrick) Beard of Chillicothe; six grandchildren, Chelsea Curtis, Brandon Curtis, Kobe Curtis and Chloe Curtis, all of Hillsboro, Brooklynn Beard of North Carolina and Tre Beard of Chillicothe; three great-grandchildren, Cordell Curtis, Cherill Curtis and Peighton Curtis; a sister, Eleanor (James H.) Cumberland of Hillsboro; three nephews, James L. Cumberland, Mark (Peggy) Cumberland and Chad Cumberland; a niece, Heather Cumberland Delgado; and two paternal aunts, Ethel Curtis Medley and Frances Curtis Hill, both of Wilmington.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Zimmerman Curtis; an infant son, Scott Curtis; and a sister, Marjorie Orvena Curtis.
In keeping with John's desire to help others, he requested that his body be donated to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Rev. Patty Burns will officiate. The family will receive from 3 p.m. until the time of the service at 4 p.m. on Thursday. At the conclusion of the service, the Highland County Honor Guard will present military honors at the funeral home. Burial will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family in the High Top Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan Outreach, 537 N. East St., Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
To leave condolences to the family, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.