John “Johnnie” Robert Lovell, 83, passed away on May 12, 2025, at 3:42 a.m. at his home in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born on December 17, 1941, in Cherokee, Kansas, the son of Granville Louis and Marie Matilda (McClure) Lovell. John grew up in Cherokee, KS, and graduated from Crawford County Rural High School in 1959. He then worked on his family’s cattle farm. He later joined the Army Reserves.
On November 11, 1978, he was united in marriage to Glenna McColm of McCune, KS, at Trinity Holiness Church in Monmouth, KS. She survives him. John owned and operated a heating and air conditioning business, B & L Sheet Metal for over 40 years in Pittsburg, KS.
He was a proud member of the Trinity Holiness Church, a city council member in his hometown, a self-proclaimed money expert, and an all-around jokester. In his younger years he enjoyed working wheat harvest in western Kansas, golfing, playing racquetball, traveling for work, and helping build Big Brutus. His proudest accomplishments in life were his children and grandchildren. He is survived by all three of his children, Melissa Torrence, of Arkansas; Monique (Keegan) Loyd of Baxter Springs, KS; and Bram Lovell of Pittsburg, KS. His four grandchildren: Felicity (Carr) Kramer of Manhattan, KS; Greyson Kramer of Joplin, MO; Genevieve Kramer of Joplin, MO; and Leland Loyd of Baxter Springs, KS; and one great-grandchild: CJ Carr of Manhattan, KS. Survivors also include his beloved siblings. Sister Lucille Chambers of Overland Park, KS, brother Jimmie Lovell of Pittsburg, KS, and brother Merle Lovell of Olathe, KS. His many sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, cherished nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, great-great nephews and great-great nieces, countless cousins and cherished church family and timeless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Granville Louis Lovell and Marie Matilda (McClure) Lovell and his sister Anita Belle Malone.
The family will receive friends and family on Friday June 13, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bath Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, Kansas. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Trinity Holiness Church in Monmouth, Kansas, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. with graveside services to follow at Cherokee City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Holiness Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
