John Effinger Obituary, Death – We mourn the loss of a beloved friend and commissioner, John Effinger, with a heavy heart and profound sorrow. John served on the board for many years.
Since 2004, John served as a commissioner on the team, demonstrating his commitment to the group. It was an honor for him to provide his support to the expansion of our District, and he went out of his way to demonstrate his dedication to our community.
On Monday, November 28, 2022, John Robert “Johnny” Effinger, who was 78 years old and resided in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, passed away. John (Johnny) Effinger and his wife Joyce have been married for 56 years, and over the past 25 years and a half, they have made Elizabethtown their home. Over the course of more than 20 years as the owner of Frank Otte Nursey and Garden Center in Elizabethtown, he took great pleasure in assisting customers in making their surroundings more attractive. He was a very involved member of the College Heights Church, where he served as the administrator for the Scholarship fund. And has spent a considerable amount of time serving on the Hardin County Water Board #2.
Before relocating to Elizabethtown, the family lived in Pewee Valley, where he was actively involved in the Crestwood United Methodist Church and Jaycees. Prior to that, they had lived in Elizabethtown. He spent 18 years working for Los Bros Garden Center and also spent time working as an agriculture vocational educator. Additionally, he was a member of the Army National Guard. It was common knowledge that he and his buddies would prepare turtle soup for a celebratory gathering.
He spent his childhood helping out on the farm that his family owned and operated and was a member of 4-H. He was able to put himself through college by growing and selling enough tomatoes, and he earned a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Kentucky. Joyce also helped him pay for some of his education. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR), and he was only one class away from completing his master’s degree. As a graduate of Eastern High School with the Class of 1962, he participated in and attended a number of get-togethers and reunions during the course of his life.
His family was the source of his greatest happiness. In addition to spending time with them and friends, one of his favorite things to do was to fiddle around outside, doing things such as cultivating vegetable gardens, going hunting or fishing, spending time with his beagles, watching the sunrises and sunsets, and observing butterflies and birds. Margaret (Dottie) and Robert Effinger, his parents, as well as his brother James, passed away before he was born (Jimmy).
John is survived by his devoted wife, Joyce; son, Michael (and his wife Betsy); daughter, Saundra Kimberlain (and her husband Jon); sister, Janie Faletti (and her husband Bob); and grandchildren Jayli, Maggie Jo, Evan, and Lilia, in addition to a large number of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 3 to 7 pm at the East Louisville Chapel of Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions located at 235 Juneau Drive in Louisville, Kentucky 40243. Additionally, visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 9 am until the time of the service which will begin at 11 am at Crestwood United Methodist Church located at 7214 Kavanaugh Road in Crestwood, Kentucky 40014. After the funeral, the body will be transported to Floydsburg Cemetery in Crestwood, Kentucky, for interment.