John Clare Stone, 76, of Springfield, passed peacefully from this earth on January 23, 2013, after a long illness. John was born March 7, 1936, to Virgil and Grace Stone. He grew up in Springfield and graduated from Central High School in 1954. He served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1961. John earned a Bachelor's degree from Missouri State and a Master's Degree from Drury College, both in education. He was inducted into Delta Phi Delta honorary art fraternity and Phi Delta Theta, educational fraternity. John taught art and history in the Springfield Public School system for 24 years. John was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed sports. John followed politics and current events closely. He was a loving husband and father and an inspiration to his children and all those who knew him. John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mary Stone Grandstaff. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ivonne, a brother, Robert, son Jeffrey and wife Holly, son Greg and wife Dusty, and beloved grandson Benjamin. A service will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home at 12:30pm, Monday, January 28, 2013, with burial to follow at Missouri Veteran's Cemetery.