Dr. John D. Woolley - Benton, IL Dr. John D. Woolley, formerly of Benton, passed away Sunday, November 17, 2013 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. John was born July 13, 1924 in Salem, Illinois to Marietta Maud Vawter and Darrell Ross Woolley. He graduated from Salem Community High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served during World War II in the 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd (Red Arrow) Division, in New Guinea and the Philippines. After his honorary discharge in 1946, he attended the Northern Illinois College of Optometry, graduating in 1948. While a student there, he sang with a big band, "The Rythmnaires". On May 6, 1950 he married Barbara Sienknecht in Chicago and the two of them relocated to Benton, Illinois where, in the fall of 1950, he opened his optometric practice in the Wood Building on the Benton Square. After a successful and enjoyable 46 years, he retired in 1996. He loved Benton and was a very involved member of the community. John was Past-President of the District 47 Grade School Board, Past-President of the Southern Illinois Optometric Association, and Past-President of the Benton Lions Club. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, a long-time member of the choir, and Past-President of the Methodist Men organization. He was an avid fan of the Benton Rangers, the SIU Salukis and the St Louis Cardinals. He and Barbara parented two daughters, Sue (Bud) Causey of Racine, Wisconsin and Ann Woolley (Clancy Cain) of Kansas City, Missouri. After Barbara's death, he married Elwanda Deason Hill on November 28, 1989. After Ellie's death in 2009, John moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He was a kind and generous husband, father, step-father, father-in-law, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend, and as an optometrist, always dedicated to his patients eye care. He was happiest when he was singing, listening to jazz and big band music, grilling, watching sports and being with his family and friends. His positive attitude and sense of humor served him well through all the changes in his life and up to the last week of his life. He is survived by his two daughters, sons-in-law, grand-daughters, Camilla Cain of Kansas City, Allison Hill of Hawaii, Andrea Hill of Denver, Colorado, and Amanda Hill of Chicago, step-son, Jim (Hazel) Hill of Stockton, California, nephew, Steve Woolley of Winter Park, Florida, nieces, Ellen Wood of Jacksonville, Florida, Betsy Baker of Norman, Oklahoma and Marilyn Haught of Alma, Arkansas, and several great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, wives, brother and sister-in-law, Hal and Claira Woolley, sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Frank Baker, and step-son, Bruce Hill. Friends may meet with the family at the Benton First United Methodist Church (203 West Church Street), from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2013 followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. which will be conducted by Reverends Robert L Shook and Shane Smith. Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Benton is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Honor flight Network (honorflight.org), or the Benton Ministerial Alliance.,2013-11-18