John Larry Rollins 1936-2009

John Larry Rollins, of rural Dixon, was born on February 1, 1936, at Dixon, a son of John Albert and Jennie Jeanette (Counts) Rollins, and departed this life at 1:10 a.m., Sunday, May 3, 2009, at his daughter’s residence near Dixon. Mr. Rollins had been in failing health for some time and had attained the age of 73 years, 3 months and 2 days.

Mr. Rollins was united in marriage on April 7, 1956, at Waynesville to Sally VanOstran who preceded him in death on December 19, 2003. In addition to his wife, Mr. Rollins was preceded in death by one son, Donald Warren Rollins on April 16, 1991; his father on February 12, 1962; his mother on January 23, 1964; two great grandchildren, William Joseph and Jonathan Wayne Steadman; one son-in-law, Gene Backues on February 28, 2002; four brothers, Lawrence “Bud” Veasman; Leroy Rollins; Everett Rollins; and Charles Veasman, Jr.; six sisters, Alice Lorenz; June Morgan; Mamie Martin; Anna Rollins; Goldie Collison; and Alma McGuillicuddy; and one brother-in-law, Tom Harkins.

Mr. Rollins was a member of the Victory Hill Baptist Church, near Dixon; was a lifelong board member of the Wheeler Cemetery and had won many awards for his favorite pastime, jig dancing. Mr. Rollins was a lifelong farmer in Maries County.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Rollins include: two sons and daughters-in-law, John Wayne and Denise Rollins, Dixon; John Lawrence and Nicole Rollins, Jefferson City; four daughters and one son-in-law, Sherry Dale and Kevin Rowden, Meta; Deborah K. Backues, Vienna; Betty Juergens Rollins, Brinktown; and Donna Gay Rollins, Vienna; one brother, Warren Rollins, Dixon; one sister, Mary Harkins, Dixon; twelve grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mr. Rollins at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday morning, May 6, 2009, in the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with Rev. Dennis Nichols, pastor Victory Hill Baptist Church, officiating. “Go Rest High On That Mountain”, “Far Side Banks Of Jordan”, “I Want To Waltz Across Heaven With You” and “I Will Always Love You” were played for the funeral service.

Interment was in the Wheeler Cemetery near Dixon, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers for Mr. Rollins were John Wayne Rollins, John L. Rollins, Randy Shelton, Mike Juergens, Jason Rollins and Joey Backues. Honorary pallbearers were Dustin Juergens, Danny Rollins, Rob Schulte, Justin Rollins, Vince Vulstekye, Jason Vulstekye, Travis Rowden and Blake Rowden.