JOHN Marvin SAMUEL

Marion-John Marvin Samuel was reunited with many of his family in Heaven at 3:10 A.M. Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

He was born to Corene and Robert Samuel on Christmas Day, 1938 at Rural Route, Carterville.

John was of the Christian Faith. When he was a youth, John accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He lived out his faith by may good deeds to others and was an avid bible reader, right up through his last days.

In 1960, he married Peggy Haddock at Oswego. They lived there many decades and raised their sons Jay and Mike. Peggy passed away in 2014. John has resided in Marion the last several years.

He excelled in drafting and design at Johnston City High School. His designs were chosen for the building trades homes his junior and senior years. Graduating in 1956, he was recruited to work for Fox Valley Engineering in Aurora. In 1958, at age 20, he was Chief Draftsman over 100 fellow employees.

In the 1960's, he had secret government clearance to work on United States Military Projects. These included the M-6 Tank, the Osprey Helicopter, and the "Atlas, the "Titan", and the "Honest John" Missile Systems.

In the 1970's, he opened "John M. Samuel Design". Notable projects were the Mr. Coffee, coffee maker, the Dr. West Toothbrush, 20-ton industrial crane, and dozens of silica sand processing plants throughout the United States.

His more than 65-year career included artistic, mechanical, and engineering accomplishments. Perhaps the greatest testament to his talent and genius are the many, many custom homes he designed that stand proudly throughout all of Illinois. All of his work through the decades was hand drawn without computer assistance.

John was an avid enthusiast of Native American Indian, Abraham Lincoln, and Civil War History. Favorite pastimes were hiking, exploring, reading, gardening, nature study, and even reciting poetry he had memorized back in school days.

He will be missed by many family members and hundreds of friends.

He is survived by sons, Jay R. Samuel of Oswego and Micheal Samuel and wife Pam (his favorite daughter-in-law) of Charleston; a sister, Sue Douglas of Herrin; nieces, Jennifer Samuel Shakir of Aurora, Mary Samuel of Carterville, Carolyn Lamphere (and Deon) of Creal Springs, and Alana Douglas of Marion; nephews, Larry Cagle (wife Danna) of Cabot, Arkansas, Stephen Douglas (wife May) of Decatur, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Cousins Sam Ferguson and his sisters Esther, Lydia, Abigail, Gabby, and Salome. Pam Wilson (husband John) of Johnston City.

John was preceded in death by his wife Peggy on December 10, 2014; Parents Robert Richmond Samuel and Corene (Pearce) Samuel; brother Robert F. Samuel; sister Bonnie Samuel; and numerous other beloved Relatives.

A Celebration of Life Service is being planned for the future.

A tremendous "thank you" from the family to all who have been so kind and so very dedicated in prayer.