Johnny Lee Dutton

     Johnny Lee Dutton, age 41 of Grantsburg, passed away at 4:26 PM, Friday, February 14, 2025 at his residence.

     John was born on August 4, 1983 in Harrisburg, to the late Ewell and Eulene Sue (Frailey) Dutton.  John graduated from Hardin County High School, Class of 2003, then continued his education at Southern Illinois University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  He worked as an officer with Illinois Department of Corrections at Shawnee Correctional Center in Vienna.  Anyone who knew John would say he usually had a smile on his face and a joke on his tongue.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and a warm, caring heart.  He loved his family and adored his many nieces and nephews.  John had a special way with babies – most took to him quickly and he would boast how they “liked him better than you”. 

     John was an avid sports lover and enthusiast, sometimes even a commentator as his facebook friends might know.  John played baseball growing up and even went to state one year and still followed several college and professional sports.   He was a loyal Cubs fan, and also a huge North Carolina Tarheels and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan. 

     John enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and riding rollercoasters.  In so many ways he was the “fun uncle”.  He enjoyed watching movies, especially in the Royal Suites at the movie theater.  He like all types of movies but particularly enjoyed the Marvel movies.  John was an animal lover in general but especially admired dogs, most incredibly his boxers. 

      John is survived by his brother, Ray Wilbourn of Fort Smith, Arkansas; brother, Ewell Edward "Eddie" Dutton Jr. and wife Katie of Eldorado; sister, Debra Sue Smith and husband Randall of Herod; sister, Kathy Osman and husband Greg of Harrisburg; brother, Danny Wayne Dutton and Bobbi Gilbert of Harrisburg; honorary brother, Matt Adams of Paducah, Kentucky; several nieces and nephews; and his boxer, James “RIP” Dutton.

     In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Don Dutton, sister-in-law, Sheryl (Lane) Dutton, and by his boxer, “Gabie” Jo Boxer.

     Funeral services for Johnny Lee Dutton will be held at 2 PM, Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Stricklin Funeral Home in Harrisburg. Rev. Harold Miller will officiate and burial will follow in Adams Cemetery in Elizabethtown. Visitation will be held from 12 PM to 2 PM, Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Stricklin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Finding Forever Animal Rescue or Wright-Way Rescue and will be received at the funeral home. Condolences may be left for John’s family on his obituary page at www.stricklinfuneralhome.com.

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