John Tilden Lewis, age 88, and his wife, Lonna Jean Dotson Lewis, age 88, passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021, from natural causes at their home.

John was born July 6, 1932, in Joplin, son of the late Louie and Lois Lewis, and Lonna was born January 1, 1933, in Joplin, daughter of the late Lonnie and Eva Dotson. They grew up in Joplin, graduating from Joplin High School in 1950. John moved to California to work for American Optical in Los Angeles, and Lonna graduated from Joplin Junior College then Pepperdine College in 1955 with a degree in education. She moved to California, and they were married on June 7, 1953. They lived in California until he was promoted to Manager, and they moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri to operate another A.O. branch. During this time Lonna worked as a teacher in Gardena California, and then after moving to Joplin in 1972 to begin his own Optician company, Lewis Optical Dispensary, she taught with the Joplin School District. He owned and operated his company until his retirement in 2008.

In his spare time, John loved to hunt, fish, and play golf. He was a member of the Joplin Golf Association at Schifferdecker, American Optometric Association, and was attending First Assembly of God in Carl Junction.

Lonna was active in church and loved to teach Sunday school. She was also the church pianist for years. She was with Southside Assembly of God, Northside Assembly of God, and was currently attending First Assembly of God in Carl Junction.

Survivors include their children, John Doug Lewis (Gina Hartman) of Joplin, Juliet Jackson (Terry) of Colleyville, Texas, Dana Miller (Christopher) of Joplin, and Elizabeth Kieslich (Charles) of Carl Junction; grandchildren, Derek Calhoun, Christopher Kieslich, Alexander Kieslich, Andrew Lewis, Aaron Lewis, Jake Miller, and Krista Miller; Lonna also has two sisters, Donna Hargis of Joplin, and Elizabeth Hunt of Searcy, Arkansas.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, June 7, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Bob Simon officiating. Interment will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with grandsons serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Sunday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

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