1930-2026
John Wesley Morris, at the age of 96, met Jesus Christ, His Lord and Savior, face to face on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in the home of his daughter, Alicia. Born May 12, 1930, near Cadiz, OH, to Everett and Delphia [Galien] Morris. A 1948 graduate of Bowerston High School and a 1952 graduate of Cleveland Bible College [now Malone University]. He married Phyllis Jean Detweiler on August 31, 1951. Together they served as pastor and wife at Deep River Friends, Deep River, IA; Millville Friends, Washingtonville, OH; Trinity Friends, Van Wert, OH; First Friends, Mansfield, OH; Hughesville Friends, Hughesville, PA; Beloit Friends, Beloit, OH; Rollin Friends, Addison, MI. He also served as interim pastor at Stony Creek Brethren, Pleasant Valley United Brethren Church, and Springfield Friends, all in Ohio. Other various jobs to supplement his income over the years were maintenance at Cleveland Bible College, farm hand in Iowa, Tractor Supply Company [Mansfield], school bus driver [Hughesville], newspaper delivery [Rollin], Thoman’s IGA, and maintenance at Theresa’s Gingerbread House [West Liberty]. He was a member at Mt. Carmel Friends Church, where he served as greeter, Elder of Spiritual Life, and Elder of Stewardship.
John was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, and mother-in-law, Jacob Arthur and Mary [Humphrey] Detweiler, his wife, his daughter Anita Pittenger, his son-in-law Max Wilkins, his sister Virginia [Foster] Rainsberger, brothers Robert [Marian] and James [Doris] Morris, brother-in-law Jacob Lowell [Lu] Detweiler, sister-in-law Mildred Detweiler, 1 niece, and 2 nephews.
John is survived by his sons Paul [Myra] Morris, Tim [Kelly} Morris, daughter, Alicia Wilkins, son-in-law, Rick Pittenger, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren Kellee Hall [Chris, Xavier, Lucas, & Lillian], Julia Pittenger, Kristin Morris, Jacob Wilkins [Delayna, Jude, Lydia, Levi, Micah, & Shiloh], Jonathan Morris [Sarah, Eliza, & Sadie], Brittney Poplawski [Eric, Evalena, Nehemiah] Cody Morris [Jessica, Aria, Luke, & Daniel] Josh Williams [Ashley, Ashlyn Kempton, Joslyn Kempton], Elijah Williams [Shyann, Hunter, Hayden], and Madison Fowler [Shane & Ruth].
The family expresses their gratitude for the care provided to John by current caregivers Frances and Heather. Without them and the other temporary caregivers, John would not have been able to stay at Alicia’s. You are a blessing beyond words. The family also expresses their gratitude to Otterbein Universal Home Health & Hospice for helping both John and his family as his earthly life ended.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Mt. Carmel Friends Church, 3470 Kennard-Kingscreek Road in Cable, Ohio, where John’s son, Paul Morris, will officiate a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. All attendees are invited to a meal in the Fellowship Hall following the service. A private family burial will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Cable, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to Evangelical Friends Mission [on memo line > Great Lakes Leadership Training] P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277 [online at friendsmission.com/great-lakes-region/] or Joni & Friends Ohio [on memo line > Sponsor Families for Family Retreats] 2682 N. Columbus Suite C, Lancaster, OH 43130
SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, DEGRAFF, is honored to care for John’s family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or kind message with the family at www.sanfordfuneralhome.com.
