John Oliver Newkirk, age 98, of Russellville, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. He was born on January 23, 1928, in Brookfield, Missouri, to Oliver Lee and Loreen Hunt Newkirk.

He is a WW2 U.S. Navy veteran serving on the USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) in the South Pacific, and is a member of the Victory Missionary Baptist Church of Russellville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Janie Newkirk; a son, Brion; a daughter, Kimberly; and a grandson, Steven.

Survivors include Mike and Priscilla Newkirk of Augsburg, Bill Newkirk of Russellville, Greg and Nina Newkirk of Woodlands, Texas, Kendra and Sieg Brauer of Kearny, Nebraska, Tamela Spenser of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 28 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:00-6:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

A graveside service for John will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at North New Hope Cemetery at Dover, with a Naval Chaplain officiating, and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wildwood Christian Schoolhouse, P.O. Box 242, Phillips, Nebraska 68865.

The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com .