JOHNNY ALFRED HAMBLEN

    Johnny Alfred Hamblen was born December 30, 1947 at the family farm just outside of Allendale, Missouri. He was called home on March 6, 2016 after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.
    John was the third of four  children born to Henry and Cora (Scott) Hamblen. John attended Allendale area school before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on December 5, 1967. It was shortly after John enlisted that he was called into action and fought for his country in the Vietnam War. John served until being honorably discharged on December 4, 1973. John was a very proud Marine; never saying, “I was a Marine” but rather, “I am a Marine”. John fought like a Marine until his final breath.
    John worked at the Grant City Sale Barn for many years. He broke horses; was a farm hand; and built grain bins among many other jobs in his life. Nothing gave him as much joy as his cowboy way of life.
    John was married and divorced three times. From these unions came four sons, two daughters and a step-daughter that he loved very much.
    John was preceded in death by his parents; sister Margaret; brothers Billy and Jackie; and his life-long friend Jeanie Hamblen.
    Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter Regina Culbreth and husband Scott of Bladenboro, North Carolina and their children Jacilyne, Jonathan, Josephine and Jude; son John Minteer of Liscomb, Iowa and his children Tye and Tres; son Clifford Minteer of Union, Iowa and his children Kaitlyn, William, Waylen and Walker; son Ryan Minteer of Union, Iowa and his son Christian; step-daughter Mindy England of Sac City, Iowa; son Jackie Marler of Creston, Iowa and his son Kolten; daughter Amanda Mains of Sharpsburg, Iowa and her children Nathan and Clinton; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones.
    A memorial fund has been established in his name. Services were held by Waston-Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr March 10 with Pastor Bill Armstrong officiating.
    Casketbearers were Russell Hamblen, Jerry Saville, Michael Vanderflught, Joe Stark, Dan Thurman and Donald “Butch” Thurman.
    Honorary Casketbearers were John Minteer, Clifford Minteer, Ryan Minteer, Mindy England, Regina Culbreth, Jackie Marler and Amanda Mains.
    Military Rites were performed by VFW #3123 Grant City, MO, US Marine Corps Honor Unit.
    He was laid to rest at Kirk Cememtery in Allendale, MO.