John W. Grinslade II

John W. Grinslade II, 86, Kokomo, passed away at 4:25 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2018, at St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo.  He was born in Howard County, on September 6, 1931, to Thelma (Johnson) and John Grinslade I.  John met Beulah Walker at Howard County Rural Youth, an organization he helped start.  They were married on December 30, 1951, at Greentown Methodist Church, and she preceded him in death on December 8, 2000.

John was a member of the first graduating class at Northwestern High School in 1949.  He served in the United States Air Force in the 452^nd Fighter Day Squadron from 1951 to 1955.  After his discharge, he and Beulah returned to Indiana where he joined his dad farming the ground his family had homesteaded in 1849.  He also worked as a security guard at Continental Steel until his retirement in 1986.

He was a member of Howard Masonic Lodge #93 and Kokomo Zion United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed playing cards and collecting.  His favorite times were spent talking and most of all telling jokes with family and friends.  When he started by saying “true story”, you never knew what to expect.

John is survived by his children, Jennie (Virgil) Spencer, John (Carol) Grinslade III, Bernice Grinslade and Timothy Grinslade; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Patricia Grinslade; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and care-giver and special friend, Emma Herschberger.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Jan Downey; and daughter-in-law, Sharon Kay Grinslade.

Services celebrating John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Hasler-Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main St., Greentown, with Pastor Jeanne Winter officiating.  Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery with military honors to be provided by the Greentown American Legion Post 317.  Viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.  A Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the scholarship fund at Kokomo Zion United Methodist Church.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.

One more thing.  “I have fought the good life, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

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