John William Whybark, 75, Carmi, went to be with the Lord Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. at the Wabash Christian Retirement Center in Carmi.

He was born March 21, 1933 in East Prairie, Mo., the son of Willard Clinton and Florence Elizabeth (Ditto) Whybark.

He married Barbara Ellen Luhring May 4, 1958.

He was a 46-year member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church and served there in several capacities. He was scoutmaster of the church's Boy Scout Troop 454 for 19 1/2 years and was an assistant previous to that. He was inducted into scouting's Order of the Arrow. In past years he and Barbara were leaders of Emmanuel's youth group, and they led music for revivals at area churches. He was a Sunday school teacher, served as Sunday school superintendent, president of the E.U.B. Men both locally and in the district, and was on numerous church boards and committees. He was active in the Walk to Emmaus for 20 years, serving as lay director on Walk No. 11. He was also head cook for that group many times. He participated in lay witness missions for several years.

John was elected alderman for the Third Ward in the City of Carmi in 1973 for one term. He was a Korean War veteran and served in the Army from 1943 to 1955. After basic training and cook's and baker's schooling, he was stationed in Galveston, Texas and was head cook in an Army R & R center.

John derived great pleasure in deer hunting, camping, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren. He worked in the oil fields for 40 years and four months for Superior, Mobil and Equinox oil companies, retiring in July 1991.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Barbara Whybark of Carmi; a son and daughter-in-law, Clint and Terrie Whybark of Morris; two grandchildren, Tricia Lynn and Grant Robert Whybark; a sister and brother-in-law, Frances and H.C. Fields of Belleville; a brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Pat Whybark of Rome, Ga.; a brother-in-law, Steve (Charlotte) Luhring of Haubstadt, Ind.; a sister-in-law, Arlene Whybark of Cartersville, Ga.; and numerous nephews, nieces, aunts and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Jean Booker, May 26, 2008; a brother-in-law, Donald "Red" Martin; and a nephew, Bob Martin.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Carmi, Pastor Mike Baker and the Rev. Steven Friese officiating. Burial will be in Tabor Cemetery in Haubstadt, Ind.

Friends may call from 4 until 9 p.m. Tuesday at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi. Mr. Whybark will lie in state at the church after 9 a.m. Wednesday until the service time at 10:30 a.m. A funeral procession will leave the church at 12:30 p.m., and the graveside committal will begin at 2 p.m. at Tabor Cemetery.