John Mark DeShazo, 90, Springfield, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in Quail Creek Skilled Nursing.  He was born December 8, 1926 to Frank Ewing and Bessie Greene DeShazo.  He grew to adulthood in the Birdsong community of St. Clair County.  He met and married Virginia (Lawson) DeShazo in 1943. To this union was born two children, Patricia (DeShazo) Coffman and Roy Loren DeShazo.  John was saved and baptized into Brush Creek Baptist Church in the spring of 1940 and at the time of his passing, he was a member of True Hope Baptist Missionary Church in Springfield.  He served in the military during World War II, Company H 23rd Infantry, 2nd Division.

He is survived by two children and former daughter-in-law, Catherine DeShazo; grandchildren, Mark Douglas Coffman, Angela (DeShazo) Pierce and Michelle (DeShazo) Wiley; great-grandchildren, Cole DeShazo Wiley and Kira Coffman; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one brother and one sister-in-law, Don DeShazo and wife, Iris of Collins and Melba DeShazo of El Dorado Springs.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; siblings, Roy, Sarah, an infant brother, Eunice Good, Ruth Sims and Ruby Kennon.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2017 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Private burial will be held in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.