John Davis Moles, 96 years, 3 months, and 17 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on February 27, 2024 at his home at Country Living Assisted Living in Mtn. Grove, MO.
John was born November 10, 1927 in Prairie Hollow, MO in Douglas County to Paul Jackson and Lillie Belle (Reece) Moles.
He graduated from Mansfield High School in 1946. He later served with the United States Army during the Korean War from November of 1950 to November of 1952. He attained the rank of Platoon Sergeant and got the opportunity to train troops in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.
On November 23, 1952 John and Hester Louise Rhoades were united in marriage at Oak Forest Church near Norwood, MO and together were blessed with two children, Victor and Trudy.
His first church to Pastor was at Oak Forest. Then in 1957 he became the Pastor of Highway Church of the Nazarene in Ava, MO and was ordained September 22, 1961. He and Hester served there for 35 years. It was in 1992 that he and Hester were called to serve at the Church of the Nazarene in Marshfield, MO for six years. John and Hester served the Church for a total of 45 years, doing both pastoral and evangelistic work.
John served on the Ava Ambulance Board for several years. In addition, he worked at plastering and stucco, a trade that he learned to do with his brother-in-law, Jess Rhoades. John enjoyed quail hunting with his friend, Junior McVay and also horseback riding with another friend, Bud Hutchison.
John Moles was a gracious, kind man; a man of huge faith and love for the Lord.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ernest and Clayton Moles; three sisters, Fern, Jean and Wilma; his wife, Hester and son Victor.
John is survived by his daughter and husband, Trudy and Kelley Underwood; two grandchildren and their spouses, Jessica and Andy Peters and Robert and Davina Underwood; great grandchildren, Shawn Peters, Jenson Peters, Chelsey Underwood, Danny Peters, Addison Underwood, Jolene Peters, Clair Underwood and Annabelle Underwood; nieces; nephews; his good friend, Norman McCrite and a host of extended relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for John will be Friday, March 8, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at Highway Church of the Nazarene, Rt. 2, Box 774, Ava, MO with burial following in the Oak Forest Cemetery, Norwood, MO with full military honors by the U.S. Army Detail and Troy Herd American Legion 112. Visitation will be prior to the service at 1:00 P.M. at the church. Officiating will be Pastor Brian Letsinger and District Superintendent, Phil Rhoades. Family requests memorials to the Gideon’s International or Highway Church of the Nazarene, Rt. 2, Box 773, Ava, MO 65608. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO.
