John E Little

Rev. John E. Little, 91, formerly of Ashville, OH passed away on Monday, May 5 , 2025, in Groveport, OH. John was born to John and Ethel Little in Fox, Jackson Twp. Pickaway County, OH, and moved to Ashville, in 1939.  He started attending Ashville Elementary School in 1939 and graduated from Ashville Harrison High School in 1951.  He met his childhood sweetheart, Catherine Williams, in his junior year.  They dated for four years and were married April 12, 1953.  They were married for nearly 69 years before Catherine went to be with Jesus on March 3, 2022.

Around Ashville, John was known as Mr. IGA.  He went to work at the Ashville IGA in 1944 for Clarence Cloud who then owned the store.  With the exception of an interval spent in the Army (1953-1955, where he worked in Food Inspection), he remained with Cloud until he retired in 1958, when John acquired the supermarket.

He co-owned the Ashville IGA for many years.  He later co-owned IGA stores in Baltimore and Lancaster.  He also managed other IGA stores (Bucyrus, Grove City, Kelly’s Market, Columbus, and Bay’s IGA, Lithopolis).

After many years of active involvement in his church and community, he also volunteered for Gideons International, speaking in multiple churches in Ohio.  After feeling a call on his life to preach, he completed the Circleville Bible College Ministers Credentials Home Study Program.  He received his local preacher’s license and pastored at Pleasantville and Harlem Church of Christ in Christian Union.  He also served as an Associate Pastor in Lockbourne.  John estimates he officiated at least 60 weddings and 70 funerals.

John is survived by one sister, Anna Mae Hedges; sons John (Susan) Little, Lancaster, and Jim (Pam) Little, Carroll; daughters Joni Pfaff, Fairfield, and Julie (Greg) Ward, Groveport.  He is also survived by nine grandchildren; Amanda (John) Redfern, Joshua Pfaff, Fairfield; Jenna (Brett) Godfrey, Fairfield; Mindi Balser (Canal Winchester), Jessica Little (Lithopolis), Justin (Michelle) Little, Pickerington; Jamie Bellamy, Phoenix, Matthew Bellamy, Groveport, and Kimberly (Patrick) Molloy, New Concord.

He is also survived by 19 great grandchildren; Claire and Caroline Redfern, Colton Pfaff, Bradley and Parker Godfrey, Avery and Jude Balser, Ariana Price, Keegan and Nyleigh Little, Olivia and Cecilia Little, Matthew Bellamy, Jr., Benjamin Behn, Braxton Bellamy, Gianna Bellamy, Gabriel Mullane, RaeAnn Molloy, and Bailey Freas. He is also survived by two great great grandchildren (Rhett and Asher Freas).

John is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Catherine; sisters Elsie Barton, Alice Cornwell, Marge Myers, Virginia Martin, Geraldine Sampsill, Connie Little, Susie Little, Carrie Gochenour, Frances  Little, Florence Ward and one brother Clarence Little.

Visitation will be on Friday, May 16th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. followed by Funeral Service at 12:30 p.m. at Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 W. Main Street, Ashville, OH, 43103, with Dr. Daniel Tipton and Rev. Bruce Viars officiating.  Interment will follow at Harrison Township Cemetery, South Bloomfield.

The family is grateful to the Mount Carmel Hospice Team, and the family thank them for the love and care provided to John.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to:  The Gideons International (https://www.gideons.org/donate); Mt. Carmel Hospice https://www.mountcarmelhealth.com/mount-carmel-foundation); or The Voice of the Martyrs (https://www.persecution.com).

Online condolences at olivercheekfuneralhome.com