GIRARD -- John B. Childers, 64, of Girard, died at 5:27 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2009, at the Freeman West Health Care Center in Joplin.

He was born Aug. 15, 1944, at Girard a son of John David and Bertha L. (Leach) Childers. He was raised in Girard and graduated from Girard High School in 1962. He was a jack of all trades throughout his life and worked many years farming with John Brackett. In recent years he was employed as a truck driver at Pike's Fertilizer. He was instrumental in establishing the Rural Fire District 4 and had served as fire chief for many years. He also played a big part in the construction of the department's new building.

On Dec. 17, 1989, he married Joann G. Pitkin. She survives of the home.

He was a member of First Baptist Church at Cherokee. He was also a second degree Mason and was a member of the Girard Lodge No. 93, A.F. & A.M. He loved to fly and was within a few hours of receiving his pilot's license. He also enjoyed motorcycles, working in his shop, the outdoors and gardening.

Other survivors include four sons, Steven W. Childers and his wife, Lee Ann, of Weir, David E. Childers and his wife, Shelley, Danny J. Childers, all of Girard, and Timothy R. Childers and his wife, Kristen, of Spring, Texas; two daughters, Deborah L. Forster and her husband, Will, of Pampa, Texas, and Rachel R. Rosenstiel of Girard; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his parents, Bertha and Russell Shriver of Girard; and a brother, Jerry L. Childers of Girard.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Girard Cemetery with Pastor Rick Prideaux officiating. Friends may call after 9 a.m. today at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home to register.

Memorials are suggested to the Rural Fire District 4 and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 258, Girard, 66743.