Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
John Allen McGarrah, 78, passed away December 27, 2024 at St. Louis University Hospital.
Born April 25, 1946 in Alton, he was the son of Charles Allen and Julia (Shockley) McGarrah.
John had worked as a forklift operator for the Pepsi Bottling Company for 28 years before retiring.
He married Sharon Jacoby on November 16, 1991 in Wood River. She survives.
Surviving also are a son, Kevin Gibbs of Bowling Green, MO; four daughters, Teresa (Matt) King of East Alton, Michelle (Don) Davidson of Fillmore, IL, Constance McGarrah of Alton, Kimberly (Demetric) Lacey of East Alton; four grandchildren, Jessica (Alex) Slow, Eric (Hannah) Macias, Ashley (Adam) Carstens, Brandi (Jacob) Bellitto; and four great grandchildren, Nicholas and Jaelyn Slow, Bryson Bellitto, and Jireh Carstens.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Charles Moore and Dale Black.
A Memorial Visitation will be held from 3-5 pm, Friday, January 3 at Marks Mortuary in Wood River.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John McGarrah, please visit our floral store.