Johnny R. New

Johnny New, Sr., 95, of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 22, 2019, at home. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur with Rev. Boyd Saylor officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur with military honors rendered by the Decatur VFW Post 6248 and the United States Army. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral from 1-2 pm also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Johnny Was born on October 26, 1923 to Levi and Edna New in Saldee, Kentucky. On July 22, 1955, he married Ruthie McCrackin. Johnny was a United States Army Veteran, serving from May 1943- June 1945. During his service, he was wounded on Saipan of the Marianna Islands and received a Purple Heart. Other decorations and citations he received include; Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, One Bronze Star and Campaign Star for Mandated Islands Campaign. In Johnny’s early years he worked on the farm and as a Machinist in the Tool & Die industry. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, war movies, westerns and Shepherds Chapel. Johnny always put family first and was an incredible father and grandfather. Johnny is survived by his children, Bill (Donna) Stroud, Chris (Robert) Gordenier, Johnny (Helen) New, Jr. and Al Arnold; sisters, Callie Jones and Wanda Nolan; grandchildren, Laura (Mark) Henderickson, Bill Arnold, Dennis (Elana) Stroud, Michael Stroud, Jessica (Andy) Kirby, Daniel (Sara) New, Patrick (Angela) Johnson, Amanda (Erick) Griffin and Heath (Janessa) New; 18 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and great-nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Edna; wife, Ruthie New in 1997; children, Wilma Arnold, Marcia Adams, two infant sons and New one infant daughter; siblings, Christine Fields, Alex, Roscoe, Roy, Russell, Robert and Herman New; grandchildren, Tina Goetz and Trina Fester and great-great-grandson, Eathan.