John O. Stewardson

John Otis Stewardson, 77, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10, 2025, at HSHS St. Anthony Hospital, Effingham, IL.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL, with Jason Palmer officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Arrangements are by Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Saving Orphaned Animals and mailed to Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, 415 North Broadway, Shelbyville, IL 62565.

John was born on December 2, 1947, in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Lane and Vera Lillian (Oakley) Stewardson. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1966 and attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, where he graduated with honors. John was a proud Army Airborne veteran. He began serving in October of 1968 and was honorably discharged in October of 1970 with the rank of SP4. John helped his community in Carbondale through the SIU-C radio station, co-op community garden, food pantry, and felt called to help veterans return to society. He worked in a governmental non-profit agency to assist people with weatherizing their homes. John had a passion for motorcycles and motorcross racing. He loved his dog, Mocha, whom he adopted from Saving Orphaned Animals. John’s love for animals was evident through his recent sponsoring of the Forest Bark dog park in Shelbyville.

John is survived by his siblings Jennifer Harvey and husband Jack of Shelbyville, IL, Wanda Brooks of Shelbyville, IL, Paul Stewardson and wife Marla of Shelbyville, IL, and Sara Blackwell and husband Dave of Eugene, OR; nine nieces and nephews; and nine great nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lane and Vera Stewardson; brother, Ray Stewardson; and beloved dog, Sugar.

John’s family would like to thank Pinnacle Providers In-Home Care, LLC, Villas of Holly Brook, HSHS Hospice, St. Anthony’s Hospital, and the Shelby County Honor Guard.