Johnny Lee Bader, 58, died at 9:15 a.m.. Saturday, April 7, 2012 at his residence after a five month battle with a malignant brain tumor.He was born in Carrollton, IL on Feb. 8, 1954, and was the son of the late Lee R. & Juanita (Gaither) Bader.He was employed as a welder & machinist at Louisiana Dock Company for 21 years, and worked as a welder at Cirlce T Steel in Brighton for a short time, before becoming a machinist at Progress Rail in Granite City, where he has been employed for the last 16 years.Although he was a dedicated employee, John's true love was the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his motorcycle, anything and everything that was outdoors.He first married Mary Kay Ruyle on Jan. 27, 1973 in Jerseyville, and they shared 20 years together before she died suddenly on May 4, 1993 at the age of 40. He later was blessed when he married the former Stacy Wyatt on June 22, 2007 in Jerseyville, and she survives.In addition to his wife Stacy; surviving are six stepchildren, Courtney Walsh, Matt Fletcher, Josh Walsh, Will Crisler, and Nicole Crisler all of Jerseyville, and Mary Crisler of Carbondale; a brother & sister in law, Mike & Deborah Bader of Jerseyville; three sisters & brothers in law, Deborah & Dave Heaton of Roodhouse, Carmelyn & Jim Calvert of Eldred, and Diana Richards of Falls City, Wa.; nephews, Steven Dzafic of San Francisco, Ca., Zachary Heaton of St. Louis, Christopher Bader of Fieldon; nieces, Cathy Osment of Pittsfield, Elivia Carey of Jerseyville, Justin Richards, Mike Schuett and Jeff Schuett of Falls City, Wa.; his father in law & mother in law, Milton & Mary Ruyle of Jerseyville, and a mother in law & step father in law, Carol & Ed McMannis of Murphysboro, and a father in law, Joe Wyatt of Granite City; along with many friendships that he has attained through the years, all of which were extremely special to him.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.Private burial will take place at a later date at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.Flowers and plants are respectfully declined, with memorials being graciously accepted for the family to help defray expenses in care of the funeral home.
