John Fouts

A Funeral Service for John Russell Fouts will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Naponee Wesleyan Church in Naponee, Nebraska with Pastor Scott Randall officiating.

Interment will follow at the Naponee Cemetery with Military Honors.

John Russell Fouts, 94 years of age, of Naponee, passed away, on January 25, 2026, at his home surrounded by family. John was born in Naponee on December 26, 1931, the youngest of five children, born to John Sylvester and Katie Edna (Lewis) Fouts. He received his primary education from the Woody country school near Naponee and later attended and graduated from Naponee High School, with the class of 1950.

Following his education, John worked on the Harlan County Dam and then was drafted into the United States Army. He fully retired from the Army, having served one tour in the Korean war, and two tours in Viet Nam.  Although he would never brag about it, he received the bronze star in Viet Nam.  After retirement, he worked for the Franklin Memorial Hospital, Franklin, Nebraska, as a Maintenance Man for 13 ½ years. He retired early due to heart surgery.

On February 6, 1955, John was united in marriage to Vonnie Eujean Kincheloe in Mountain Grove, Missouri and to this union two daughters were born: Meshella and Jo. The family made their home in many states and countries, while John was serving in the United States Army.

John was a "Jack-of-ALL-trades" and enjoyed gardening, attending auctions, refrigeration repairs and tinkering around the house, both inside and out.

He was a member of the Naponee Wesleyan Church and the Naponee American Legion.

John was preceded in death by: his parents, John Sylvester and Katie Edna (Lewis) Fouts; his wife, Vonnie in 2015; his siblings: Daisy Olson and husband, Aaron of Alma, Nebraska; Byron "Bud" Fouts and wife, Leora of Phillipsburg, Kansas; Donald "Bob" Fouts and wife, Lee of Coopersville, Michigan; and Doris Yost and husband, Bob of Alma; three grandchildren: Krystal Duren, Daniel Duren and John Duren; and great-granddaughter, Lorelei Duren; nieces: Dianna "DeeDee" Terhune; and Sherry Yost; sister-in-law, Olivia "Fern" and husband, James Hollingshad; and nephew-in-law, Loren Krase.

John is survived by; his daughters: Meshella "Shella" Nottoli of Naponee; and Jo Fouts of Sandwich, Illinois; two grandsons: Steven Duren and his wife, Ashley of Alma; and Chris Nottoli of Barling, Arkansas; nieces and nephews: Terry Malcom and wife, Carol; Judy Krase; Jim Fouts and wife, Wanda; Cindy Fouts-Frohlke; Greg Yost; Meredith Baker and husband, Ted; and niece-in law, Michele (Hollingshad) Krause and husband, Max, along with a host of many great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in John's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.