J.B. Lee

• DIED: August 21, 2016

• LOCATION: Milan, Missouri

John Ben "J. B." Lee, 95, of Milan, Missouri, died Sunday, August 21, 2016 at his home in Milan. The son of Ben J. and Ethel (Thompson) Lee, he was born near Milan on August 24, 1920. On August 17, 1940 he married Pearl Marie Bertschman and she preceded him in death on July 20, 2004. Also preceding him were his parents; a daughter, Ann Milner; one sister Mary Jane Meurer; and one brother, Bob Lee.

He is survived by two daughters, Linda Lou Conner and husband Larry Gieseke of Milan and Kathy Milner and husband Paul of Arizona; one son, John R. Lee and wife Pat of Milan; eight grandchildren, Bryan Conner and companion Gina Bennett, Ernest Conner and Wife Mindy, Jeff Conner and Wife Cheryl, Chris Lee and wife, Tammy, Randy Lee and wife Bridget, Jamie Lee, Paul Michael Milner and Chris Milner; 17 great grandchildren, Shanna Detzler-Cox, Shawn Conner, Ashley McClaskey, Aaron Conner, Katelyn Conner, Cameron Conner, Dathan Typoldos, Jarred Typoldos, Logan Lee, Tiffany Lee, Audra Lee, Ashton Lee, Alexa Lee, Paula Milner, Luke Milner, Stephen Tyler Milner, and Kaitlin Milner; three great great grandchildren, Declan Martin, Christian Conner, and Conner Ryan McClaskey; and several nieces and nephews.

J. B. was a lifelong resident of Sullivan County. He professed his belief in Jesus Christ in 1956. During World War II he served with the Merchant Marines in the Philippines and England. He was a member of American Legion Post 228 in Milan and Masonic Lodge #29 A.F. & A.M. in Torrington, Wyoming. J. B. had been a truck driver since the age of 14 but he also worked in meat packinghouses from time to time. He enjoyed going to breakfast and visiting with all his friends. He also liked to deer hunt, quail hunt, and look for treasure with his metal detector. J. B. was quite a character and was quick to tell you that his cigar smoking and nips of whiskey contributed to his long life.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. A visitation is scheduled for one hour prior to the service, starting at 9:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Bairdstown Cemetery north of Milan.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in J. B.'s memory are suggested to the Bairdstown Cemetery.