John Griffin Fagala

John Griffin Fagala, 79, of Maryville, IL went to be with his heavenly father at 4:46 am, Sunday, November 30, 2025 at Eden Village Retirement Center. John was born on December 24, 1945 in Alexandria, VA to the late Holmes Griffin and Mabel Beatrice (Johnson) Fagala. John grew up in Eureka, MO attending school in House Springs before transferring to Broadview Academy, North Aurora Illinois where he graduated. John enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 where he served as a Medical Specialist based in Germany during the Vietnam War. John married Marlene (Schlemer) Elliott on June 7, 1986 at St. Lukes United Methodist Church in Maryville, IL. John retired as a Police Officer for the Department of Defense at (NGA) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in St Louis, MO. John was a very active member of St. Lukes United Methodist Church in Maryville, IL where he played in the Hand Bell Choir, sang in the Vocal Choir, attended Disciple Classes and was involved in multiple mission trips. John was an avid reader and racquetball player, loved puzzles, enjoyed working out, traveling, attending Christian music events, singing with Raise the Praise Choir and spent countless hours attending events with his grandchildren. John and Marlene were a host family for the Gateway Grizzlies Baseball team for many years. John loved everything about his country, always reading or visiting historical sites and never forgetting what sacrifices were made for our freedom. John is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Marlene Fagala, along with his daughters, Dawn Marie Fagala-House of Glen Carbon, IL, Marla Kay (John) Grant of Glen Carbon, IL, Monica Fay (John) Wright of Troy, IL, Melinda Gay Kershaw of Maryville, IL, Melissa May Elliott-Menne of St. Louis, MO and Melanie Rae (Brad) Szedlar of Maryville, IL. Grandchildren, Madison Fagala, Samuel House and Jackson House of Glen Carbon, Nicole (Chris) Mueth of Maryville and Danielle (Jason) Foley of Collinsville, Brendan (Heather) Wright of St. Jacob and Keaton (Peyton) Wright of Troy, Savannah Danks of Glen Carbon, Taylor (John) Weidner of Maryville and Mason Kershaw of Glen Carbon, Elliot Ellis, Natalie Menne, Christian Menne, and Jacob Menne all of St. Louis, Major Cole (Amanda) Trover of Troy, Caira (Nicholas) Carter of Wood River and Chase Trover of Bunker Hill. Great grandchildren, Brett Mueth of O’Fallon, Brady Mueth of Maryville, Makayla Foley, Makenna Foley and Macie Foley all of Collinsville, Carsyn Wright of St. Jacob, Kollyns Wright and Brooks Wright both of Troy, Preston Danks of Glen Carbon, Rhea Weidner of Maryville, Lukas Ellis and Charlotte Ellis both of St. Louis. Sisters, Esther (Jerry) Mastbaum, of Dayton, OH, Phebe Fagala of Dayton, OH. Brothers, Charles (Denise) Fagala, Sr. of Dayton, OH, Reuben (Beth) Fagala of Kansas City, MO. Along with countless nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Friday, December 19th, from 4 pm - 8 pm. Saturday, December 20th, from 10 am - 11 am for visitation, 11 am – 12 pm for the church service with lunch to follow. Visitation and service to be held at St. Lukes United Methodist Church, Maryville, IL. Memorials can be made to St. Lukes United Methodist Church, Maryville, IL. Private family interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full military honors. Gent Funeral Home in Alton, IL is in charge of funeral services.

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John Griffin Fagala

December 24, 1945 - November 30, 2025