John B. Allsworth Jr.

He was born August 18, 1943 at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, IL. to John Boyd Allsworth Sr. and Lillian Hay Allsworth. They preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death is his cousin, Harry B. Allsworth.

He is survived by three sons: Mark (Tina) Allsworth in Meridian, ID; Tom (Jane) Allsworth in St Louis, MO; and Mike Allsworth in West Peoria, IL. He has two grandsons: Cameron (Caitlin) Allsworth in Meridian, ID and Brennen (Mo) Allsworth in Dacorah, IA; and two granddaughters: Samantha and Sophia Allsworth in St. Louis, MO. John is also survived by his cousin Dr. Tom (Karen) Vaughn in Austin, TX and Harry’s wife, Diane, in Greensburg, PA.

In 1957, John (better known those days as Ozzie) graduated from Thomas Jefferson Grade School in Peoria, IL and Peoria Central High School in 1961. He is a LIFE member of the Peoria Central High School Alumni Association. He graduated from Spoon River Junior College in Canton, Illinois in 1964 and for two years attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.

In July 1966, he joined the US Navy Seabees where he had two tours in Vietnam with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 71, of which he is a plank owner as he was with the battalion when it was commissioned. He was an Equipment Operator Second Class at his time of discharge.

He was the co-chairman of his US Navy NMCB 71 Seabees reunion which began in 2003, and became an every other year event starting in 2004, a LIFE member of the Seabee Veterans of America, a member of Island X - 4 in Peoria, and a LIFE Member of the VFW and Creve Coeur VFW Post 4835.

After his military life, he worked as a sales representative for Insulation Dealers & Supply Co. and Philip Morris Tobacco Co., as a department supervisor for Bergner's in Sheridan Village, and Caterpillar Inc. starting in the shop and later moving into the office. He retired from Caterpillar November 1, 2004 as a Senior Analyst in Accounts Payable with 30 years and 3 months.

John enjoyed traveling around the United States, driving not flying. He always said so much more of this great country can be seen from a car window than from an air plane. His goal was to visit all fifty states and was only two states short of that goal.

John has been an active member of Lions Clubs International and the Peoria Heights-Suburban Lions Club since 1970. He served in all club offices and was a member of the district cabinet since 1977. He served on Lions state committees and as the chairman of the state diabetes awareness program, co-chairman of the state convention for two years, and chairman of the state convention for one year. John was a LIFE Member of Lions Clubs International. He was a Melvin Jones Fellow and had received a Lions International Presidential Medal, two Lions International Presidents Leadership Medals, two Lions International Presidents Certificates of Appreciation, and a graduate of Lions International Senior Lions Leadership Institute. He was a 6° level Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellow, a continuing sustaining supporter, and a Lions of Illinois Foundation Legacy Club Member. John served as District Governor of his Lions District in 2007-2008 and chairman of the Illinois Lions Council of Governors in 2009-2010.

He was an active member of University United Methodist Church in Peoria, serving on many commissions and as chairman of a few.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at University United Methodist Church, 2818 N. University, Peoria, IL 61604 with visitation one hour before. He will be laid to rest at American Mausoleum in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to his church, the US Navy Seabees Museum c/o R.W. Sharp, the Lions of Illinois Foundation, or the Peoria Heights-Suburban Lions Club directed for the Lions Play Ground/Park maintenance and upgrades.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Davison-Fulton.com for the Allsworth Jr. family.