John Henry Showalter, 80, of Bridgewater, Virginia passed away Thursday, December 22, 2011, at Emeritus Senior Living in Harrisonburg.

John was born in Dayton, Virginia on August 8, 1931, and was a son of the late Michael Roland and Fannie Heatwole Showalter.

He worked as a mail carrier for 22½ years and was a member of Montezuma Church of the Brethren.

He was united in marriage on September 7, 1963, to Orva Lambert Showalter of Bridgewater, who survives.

John is also survived by three sons, Buddy (Susan) Showalter, Davey (Paula) Showalter and Jerry (Jeanette) Showalter; four sisters, Mary Rhodes, Margaret (James) Cline, Fannie B. (Willis) Good, and Eunice Knicely; six brothers, Marvin Showalter, Harry (Lydia) Showalter, Harold Showalter, Daniel Showalter, Joseph (Frances) Showalter and S. Frank (Cathy) Showalter; nine grandchildren, Rachael, Franklin, Wyatt, Hannah, Marcus, Benjamin and Renae Showalter, John III, and Joshua Showalter; and two stepgrandchildren, Jason, and Addison Sorrells.

He is preceded in death by three brothers, William Heatwole Showalter, Edward Showalter, and Michael Showalter.

A funeral service will be conducted 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at Montezuma Church of the Brethren with the Rev. David R. Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Beaver Creek Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater.

Memorial contributions may be made to Clover Hill Fire and Rescue, 2100 Clover Hill Road, Dayton, VA 22821, Bridgewater Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Bridgewater, VA 22812, and/or Emeritus Senior Living, 2101 Deyerle Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater is in charge of arrangements.

An obituary was published in the Daily News-Record, on Saturday, December 24, 2011.