John "Jack" Little

Little, John "Jack", 77, of Springfield, died October 20, 2015 peacefully at his home surrounded by his family after a long battle with heart disease. He was born July 2, 1938 in Ravenscroft, TN to William (Bill) and Helen (Ervin) Little. Jack graduated from Springfield High School in 1957 after which he served in the army reserve. Jack retired International Harvester Corporation after 42 years where he started out in the mailroom and worked his way to Superintendent of the Urbana, Ohio wiring plant. He was a long time member of Northwood Hills Country Club for 35 years and was also a member of Elks Lodge #51, where he was an avid golfer. He loved watching the Cincinnati Reds, The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals. His grandkids were very special to him and he loved watching their sporting events. He had a special place in his heart for each and every one of them. Jack played for the Pabst softball team which won the World Championship in 1964 and 1973. He stopped playing softball to coach his sons in little league where he coached Bonded Oil along with Keith Beals for several years. He also loved watching his daughter perform gymnastics. Jack and Barb spent the last 15 winters in Fort Myers, FL loving life with best friends, Phyllis and Fred Fisher and Ron and Pat Ervin. Survivors include his loving wife Barbara of 54 years; his children, Cyndi (Dan) DeCarlo of Springfield, Doug (Diana) Little of Naples, FL and Bart Little of Springfield; grandchildren, Daniel, Sydney and Kirsten Little, Anthony and Jacklyn DeCarlo, and Braeden and Berkeley Little; his sister, Mary Jo Murphy; niece, Lysa Smith; great-nieces, Paige Smith, Ashley and Allie Murphy; great-nephew, RT Murphy; aunts, Sis Flora and Martha Collins and uncle John Ervin, Jim Ervin and Ron Ervin, and the Sample family. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, best friend and brother-in-law Ron Murphy and nephew Greg Murphy, whom he thought the world of and holds a special place in his heart. The family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Hackett, Dr. Tim Hickerson, all of the great people at Forest Glen, including James, Elizabeth and Tara and the nurses at Community Mercy Hospice, especially Debbie and De'Etta. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in the CONROY FUNERAL HOME with Rev. Dave Anderson officiating. Visitation will begin one and a half hours prior, starting at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.