John R. House, Sr.

John R. House, Sr.,83, of Roseville, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the Goldwater Care Center, Roseville, IL.

He was born August 25, 1942 the son of Dell J. and Winnifred A. (Gilmore) House in Monmouth, IL. He was raised in Gerlaw, IL and graduated from Warren High School in 1960.

John served in Illinois National Guard for 8 years, and was honorably discharged as Sergeant E5 in 1968.

He married Ellen J. Armstrong in 1962; Ellen died in 2006. John later married Carole S. (Hull) Ortery in July of 2007; and she survives.

John was employed by the Warren County Highway Department for 2 years. He then worked at John Deere as a welder for 10 years, an apprentice electrician for 4 years and a master electrician for 18 years, retiring in 1995. After retiring from John Deere, John had his own electrical business in Roseville and in later years, mowed Roseville, Salem and Asbury cemeteries.

He was a member of Roseville United Methodist Church, serving on the Board of Trustees for several years and as Chairman in 2011. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 519, serving in all chairs and was a current member of Roseville Lions Club.

John is survived by his wife, Carole House; son, John R. (Susie) House, Jr. and daughter, Kelly J. (Brad) Schaefer and step-daughters, Stacy Sunn and Michele (Will) Smith. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Ryleigh (Jenna) Clark, Ben Smith, Bradleigh (Austin) Schaefer Reed, Cody (Kori) Estes, Alyssa Wilson, Zackary Sunn, Sean Sunn, Jesse Smith and Austin Smith; great-grandchildren, Claire and Stella Clark, Brooklyn, Delilah and Caeley Estes, Chyan Wilson, Kaysen and Kyler Sunn; sister-in-law, Tjodie House and brother-in-law, Tom Flanagan; several nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Shirley Elaine Flanagan and brother, Edward E. House.

Cremation has been accorded. A private family interment at Roseville Memorial Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to the Roseville United Methodist Church and sent to the funeral home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL, is in charge of the arrangements. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.