John A. Pace

John A. Pace, 83, of Mexico, died at 4:15 a.m., Saturday Sept. 14, 2013, at Missouri Veterans Home.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Elmwood Cemetery with Pastor Larry Baitinger officiating.

John was born on Jan. 19, 1930, in High Hill, Mo., a son of John M. and Mary E. (Groves) Pace. On Mar. 24, 1951, in Mexico, he married Helen L. Alderson who preceded him in death on May 27, 1997.

Mr. Pace was a veteran and served from 1951 through 1956 in the US Army. He worked as a foreman at Florsheim Shoe Factory for 45 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of First United Pentecostal Church. He loved collecting antiques and telling jokes.

Survivors include one daughter, Melanie Bates and husband Justin; one granddaughter, Alyssa Taylor; one sister, Anna Alderson, all of Mexico, three nephews, John Stone, Ronnie Gaines and wife Betty, all of Mexico, and James Cline of San Antonio, Tex.; two nieces, Evelyn Nachreiner and husband Mark of Mexico; and Kimberly Cline (Jeff) of Santa Fe, Tex. and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be given to the Missouri Veterans Home resident's fund. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.