Rev. John W. Carlson, 74, of Galesburg, died at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on January 22, 1945, in Galesburg, the son of Walter E. and Ruth “Eileen” (Gustafson) Carlson. He married Anita Jorganson on August 11, 1967, in Galesburg.
He is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Anita; a son, Jonathan Carlson of Galesburg; two daughters, Joy Carlson of Galesburg and Barbara (and Bill) Dunham of Wapello, Iowa; two sisters, Janet (and Harold) Griffith and Lois Malcolm, both of Galesburg; and one granddaughter, Emeline Dunham. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Amy; a brother, Donald Carlson; and two sisters, Caryl Poland and Barbara Carlson.
John graduated from Galesburg High School in 1963. He then attended Bob Jones University, where he graduated from the seminary in 1967. He served as a Pastor all of his life with callings at the Altona Bethany Baptist Church, the Adelphi Calvary Baptist Church in Runnels, Iowa, and since 1975, the Bethany Baptist Church in Galesburg. He also had a weekly radio broadcast, “Bethany Bible Thoughts” on WGIL radio station in Galesburg for the past 38 years. He was the administrator of Bethany Christian Academy from its founding in 1975 until its closing in 1996, at which time he began to substitute teaching in Galesburg District 205 schools.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2019, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 30, 2019, at the chapel. Pastor Tim Coley will officiate. Burial will be at the East Linwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
