James Virgil “J.V.” Greathouse

James Virgil “J.V.” Greathouse, 50, was born Aug. 11, 1950, in Dr. Todd’s office in Osceola, to Thomas Wilber Greathouse and Maggie Lee (Postlewait) Greathouse of rural Osceola. He was surrounded by his wife and children when he was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, March 25, 2021.

J.V. grew up on the farm and loved doing anything that had to do with the outdoors: helping haul coal, chop wood and milk cows as well as raising and training coon dogs with his daddy. He began attending school in a small one-room schoolhouse in Cedar Springs. J.V. continued his education at Fort Scott Christian Heights and El Dorado Springs, graduating from El Dorado Springs High School in 1968.

J.V. was united in marriage to Mary Beth Eldridge on Aug. 20, 1971. To this union three children were born: Cristi LeAnn (Greathouse) Hellums, Jennifer Elaine Greathouse, and Tyler Heath Greathouse.

J.V. could hunt and fish with the best of them, with his favorite being turkey hunting. He loved sharing and teaching these skills to his children and grandchildren, and anyone else who showed interest in them.

J.V. worked for GTE in Columbia, and Osceola for 25 years. He then continued his phone work with Frontier Communications in Illinois for 15 years until retirement in 2015. During their time in Illinois, J.V. and Mary Beth became members of Fieldon Baptist Church where J.V. enjoyed serving as a Sunday School teacher and trustee.

After J.V.’s retirement, the couple moved back to the home they had built on the Greathouse family farm. During his retirement, J.V. enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, traveling, spending time with family and singing at churches and revivals with his siblings.

J.V. is survived by his wife, Mary Beth, of the home; children, Cristi Hellums (Roy), Jennifer Greathouse, Tyler Greathouse (Megan), and David Gingerich (Whitney); grandchildren, Levi Mays, Danielle Hellums, Mandy Schone, Skyler Greathouse, Zach Hellums, Kody Oglesby, Cooper Greathouse, Carter Greathouse, Peyton Stockdale, and Alyssa Greathouse; great-grandchildren, Matthew Kesner and Aubrey Schone; siblings, Ida Ruth Tucker, Mary Lillian Sisseck (Wayne), Bonnie Carol Query, Brenda Lee Dilly (Dan), Betty Jean Yockey (Jerry), and Thom Greathouse; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

J.V. was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, James and Mary Mila (Collins) Greathouse and Virgil and Lillian Postlewait; and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services were Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Sheldon Funeral Home El Dorado Springs with brother Bo Schultz. Interment was at Yeater Cemetery, Osceola.

Music was J.V. Greathouse with The Greathouse Singers: “Wonderful Place,” “Take Up The Cross,” “Lord, O Lord,” “I’ll Have A New Life” and “Daddy’s Hands.”

Casket bearers: Tyler Greathouse, Paul Stockdale, Jason Query, Bryan Tucker, Josh Query, Jeremy Yockey, Jared Query, Kevin Sisseck. Special honorary casket bearer: James McCombs. Honorary casket bearers: Carter Greathouse, Peyton Stockdale, Alyssa Greathouse, Skyler Greathouse, Kody Oglesby, Cooper Greathouse