John William Hercules, 73, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 8:17 am August 19, 2022 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon.

He was born February 27, 1949 in Wamego, Kansas to the late William James and Jessie Mae (Wells) Hercules. John married Dee Ann (Phifer) Hercules on November 8, 1969. They were blessed with nearly 53 years of marriage. In addition to his beloved wife, John is survived by his son, Stephen Nicholas Hercules and wife, Danielle of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Treyton, Jordan, and Kaylee; one great-granddaughter due in 2023; siblings, Edward Eugene Cessna of Texas, Beatrice Houck of Ohio, Phyllis Waldrop of Tennessee, Gus Hercules of Oklahoma, Isabelle Deathrage of Missouri, Mary Alice Hercules of Wisconsin, and Courtney Hercules of Kansas; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his children, Christopher John Hercules, twins, Justin and Jason Hercules, and Michelle Lynn Schafer; and siblings, Charles Cessna, Justin Dale Cessna, Sandra Elder, Jane Kay Smith, and Richard Hercules. John proudly served his country in the United State Air Force in Vietnam. He worked for 40 years as a maintenance mechanic technician for Continental Tire. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and adored him.

A Visitation will be held Friday, August 26, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. Full Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #141 at 6:00 pm at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois at a later date. Memorials may be made in John’s honor to the National Kidney Foundation or Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.