John M. Essary

Rev. John M. Essary, 75, of Berger, passed away on June 13, 2026. He was the son of the late John C. Essary and Jacqueline Louise Smith and was born on September 3, 1950, in Milan, Tennessee. In 1976, he was united in marriage to Zelda Ginn in Tyler, Texas.

John found great fulfillment in his many interests, including fishing, hunting, Bible study, woodworking, gardening, and cherished time spent with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Cathy Halliburton and Kevin Tanner.

He is survived by his wife, Zelda Essary of Berger; his children, John David and Bonny Anderson of Lexington, Kentucky, Dawn Murphy and her husband, Ben, of Union, Nathan Essary and his wife, Ashley, of Wright City, Missouri, Jeremy Essary and his wife, Beka, of Eureka, and Samuel Essary and his wife, Samantha, of Willard, Missouri; his siblings, Linda Keilty of St. Louis and Chuck Tanner of Florida; twelve grandchildren, Connor, Ashton, Madison, Samuel, Reagan, Katherine, Aidyn, Ryker, Beckett, Emmit, Spencer, and Macklyn; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Duane Ginn, Larry Ginn and his wife, Linda, Paul Ginn and his wife, Leisa, and Rebecca Hicks and her husband, Richard, all of Texas; as well as other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Life Stream Church in Washington. The funeral service will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Life Stream Church. Interment, with full military honors, will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Life Stream Church Missions.

Arrangements are under the care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home in Washington.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John M. Essary, please visit our floral store.