John W. Greer Sr.

His Life Story

A Time to be Born

John W. Greer Sr. was born August 27, 1944 in Mellwood, Arkansas from the union of Andy Sr. and Ella (Forster) Greer. John was the 4th of 14 siblings.

A Time to Serve

John attended school in Elaine Arkansas. He later moved to Helena, Arkansas in 1962 where he worked with his Aunt Thelma Greer [now deceased] at Thelma’s Groceries and Summerhill Plumbing Company, in Helena, Arkansas. In 1966 he married Celestine (Willis) Greer and had 4 children: John W. Greer Jr., Roy Anthony Greer, Michael Greer and Celestine Greer (‘Stacy’) baby girl. In 1973 he worked for Deihl Plumbing Co. in West Helena, Arkansas. In 1976 John moved to South Bend, Indiana. Where he built and established his own business in plumbing and as a real estate investor. John also owner and partnership with his brothers in 1993, of Stickney Auto in Toledo, Ohio. In 1982 he married Gloria (Smith) Greer.

John knew Christ at a very young age and he dedicated his life to God in baptism and he joined the Trueway Church of Almighty God under the leadership of Pastor Andy ‘J.J.’ Greer [now deceased]. He often enjoyed sharing and reminiscing of his childhood, having church in their home living room with his mother and father teaching and ministering the Word of God to him and his siblings.

A Time to Live

John lived a good life. He was a true entrepreneur with great ambition, and a hard worker and determination to achieve success. He was very brave, outgoing, funny and loving. He would always have you laughing. He loved to drive fast. He later became our black ‘Elvis’. He was loved by many, but we loved him more. He will always be loved and sincerely be missed.  

A Time to Depart

February 15, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., John W. Greer Sr. transitioned to be with his heavenly Father. His final hours spent at St. Joseph Reginal Medical Center in Mishawka, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his father, Andy Greer Sr. and mother, Ella (Foster) Greer; daughter, Celestine (Stacy) Greer; grandson, Lorenzo Greer; brothers, Louie, Andy ‘J.J’, and Norace Greer; sisters: Inez and Flora Greer, and Ella Soimis.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 38 years, Gloria Smith Greer; 3 sons: John W. Greer Jr. (Andrea), all  of South Bend, Indiana, Roy Anthony Greer Sr. (Emily) of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Michael Greer of South Bend; grandsons: Roy Anthony Greer Jr. and Dwayne Greer; granddaughters: Celestina Greer, Alyshia Greer, Helicia Greer, and Saymone Greer, all of South Bend;  2 great-grandsons: Anthony Greer and Khaidyn Greer of South Bend; a sister Addie (Greer) Marshall of Lemoore, California, Daisy (Greer) Marshall of Carson, California, and Thelma (Greer) Woodley of Toledo, Ohio; brothers: Horace Greer, Morace Greer of Toledo, Ohio, Joe Greer of  Helena, Arkansas, Andy Greer of  W. Memphis, Arkansas; along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. He fought a good fight and he has finished the race. To God be the Glory.

A Time to Celebrate

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens:

A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”     Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

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