John J. Carpenter, 84, of Van Orin died April 19, 2011 in Colonial Hall Nursing Home, Princeton. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Arlington, with the Rev. Paul Meismer officiating. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Kewanee. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Thursday with a 3:30 p.m. rosary at Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Mr. Carpenter was born March 25, 1927, in Neponset to Harl and Julia (Smith) Carpenter. He married Betty Bennett on Jan. 5, 1952, in Sheffield. He served with the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II. He was a farmer. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and LaMoille American Legion Post. He served on the LaMoille-Clarion Library Board. He is survived by two sons, Joe (Sandy) Carpenter of Ohio, Ill., and Jim (Amy) Carpenter of Peoria; four daughters, Julie (Jim) Diehl of LaMoille, Mary (Richard) Gross of LaMoille, Sue (Gail) Edlefson of Wyanet and Angie Carpenter of Van Orin; 10 grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren; and longtime friend Fern Stabler. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1997, one brother, Harlan; and one grandson, Michael Crawford. Memorials may be directed to LaMoille Clarion Library, LaMoille Fire Department or LaMoille Rescue Unit.