GILLETT — John Joseph “Johnny” Holzhauer II,

of Gillett, passed away April 26, 2024, in DeWitt. He was born September 3, 1930, in Gillett, Ark., to the late John and Elfrieda Holzhauer. He was a 1947 graduate of Gillett High School, and a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where he held numerous offices and board positions. Johnny is remembered for his dedication to public service and served on many boards throughout Arkansas County. For forty years, Johnny served on the Arkansas County Housing Authority and was chairman for twenty-five years of his tenure. The Arkansas County Soil and Water Conservation was a passion of his. He was a member of the board for thirty years, and served as chairman for twenty of those. He is honored yearly with a scholarship, given in his name, to a DeWitt High School senior. For twenlycares.com ty years, Johnny served on the board of Planters and Merchants Bank, and for fifteen years on the Gillett School Board. He was a member of the Arkansas Quorum Court for two years. As a lifelong farmer, he loved working in the fields while watching the crops grow. In 1966, Johnny was awarded Outstanding Young Farmer of Arkansas. His family was named Arkansas County Farm Family in 1969. Johnny is survived by the love of his life, Margie Young Holzhauer, who he was married to for seventy-one years. He is also survived by son, Jody Holzhauer (Lynn), of Gillett; daughters, Donna Slay (Danny), of Conway, Gayle Womack (Randy), Sheila Dodson (Mike), Nancy Whiting (Sammy), all of Gillett. His grandchildren include Blake Holzhauer, Erin Simon, Dustin, Drew and Nathan Slay, Ryan Womack, Jordan Gardner, Bryce Dodson, Mallory Sweetin, Austin and Barrett Whiting. Johnny and Margie were blessed with eighteen great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 30, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Gillett, with burial following at Gillett Cemetery. Visitation will be at Essex Funeral Home on Monday, April 29, from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 419, Gillett, Ark., or Gillett Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 124 Gillett, Ark., 72055. www.essexfuneralhome.com.