John Leland Mottern

John Leland Mottern, of Elkhart, Texas, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, the 8th day of May 2025, with his devoted wife, Ann, by his side.  He was 78 years of age when the Lord called him home.  John was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, on the 27th day of December 1946 to parents John Christian Mottern and Mary Kathryn Hummel.

Mr. Mottern was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be dearly missed by his wife of over 45 years, Ann Herrington Mottern; sons, Jason Mottern and wife Ashley and Ryan Mottern and wife Hillary; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Alan Herrington; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary “Kay” Mottern; in-laws, Johnnie and Marjorie Herrington; son, John Mottern, Jr.; sister, Barbara Quick; and his brothers-in-law, Bob Herrington and Leonard Quick.

Mr. Mottern grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Texas after high school to attend college.  He made a career in the insurance business where he went above and beyond to care for each and every one of his customers.  He became co-owner of Johnnie Herrington Insurance and retired in 2012.  Mr. Mottern was a member of Crockett Road Church of Christ where he attended and volunteered his time helping with the local stock pot, serving as the “chief cook”, before his health declined. 

In his younger years, he took great pride in coaching youth baseball and served as the P.Y.A.A. president for several years.  The impact of those years of coaching lives on in the lives of the players whose hearts he touched. Mr. Mottern had an outgoing personality, and he never met a stranger.  He had the best sense of humor and was a pleasure to be around.  He enjoyed various hobbies including baseball, gardening, and bowling, a sport he deeply loved. Mr. Mottern has left this world physically, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his loved ones forever.

Friends are invited to greet the family during a celebration of life reception from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 14th day of May 2025 in the Reflection Room at Rhone Funeral Home.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of John Mottern is to commence at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 15th day of May 2025 at Crockett Road Church of Christ with Dan Manuel officiating the service.

The family will gather for a private inurnment at Roselawn Park at a later time.

Memorial and cremation services for John Leland Mottern are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.  Please visit his online memorial tribute at www.rhonefuneralhome.com, where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.

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