John Paul Karvonen

John Paul Karvonen, son of Daniel and Audrey Hankins, was born July 11, 1967 in Warwick, Rhode Island, and departed this life July 29, 2017, after suffering a massive stroke. He was 50 years and 18 days of age.

John attended school in Rhode Island and then moved around, as the son of a military step-dad, to Germany, Florida, Alabama, and Texas. It was in Alabama that he met and married his first wife, Donna Baker, on December 1, 1989. One son was born to this union. He later met his second wife, Michelle Hampton, and they were married on August 2, 1997. Three children were born to this union. On August 8, 2013, John married his present wife, Janice (Stray) Karvonen.

In 2013, John was saved and baptized at James River Church in Ozark, Missouri. John was a very talented handyman and could fix almost anything. He was a small business owner of Pro Lawn Sales and Service in Mountain Grove for many years, operating a shop and also a lawn service. He previously owned J & M Home Repair where he put his many talents to use. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, tennis, going to garage sales and auctions, and spending time with his children.

John was preceded in death by his baby son, Shawn Michael Karvonen, and one brother, Robert Lussier.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Karvonen, of Meredosia, Illinois; two sons, John Franklin Karvonen of Bear Creek, Alabama, and Tyler Ryan Karvonen of Ozark, Missouri; one daughter, Lauren Nicole Karvonen of Ozark, Missouri; and one child considered like a son, Tanner of the home, and his mother, Kate; John’s mother and step-father, Audrey and Daniel Hankins of Decatur, Alabama; three brothers, David Lussier of Tennessee, Jerry Jones of Alabama, and Danny Hankins and his wife, Brandy, of Georgia; three sisters, Allison Lussier and her fiancé, Kenny Cantrell, of Texas, Patricia Jones and Krystle Hankins, both of Alabama; one grandchild, Jinsen Franklin Karvonen; several nieces and nephews, best friend, Tim Hillgamyer, and a host of other relatives and friends who will greatly miss him.