John Edward Cruthis was born on May 31, 1937, in Ulm, Arkansas, to the late Oren and Jewel Strong Cruthis. He spent much of his childhood in the rural farming community of Ulm and was the sixth of what would become ten children in the Cruthis family.

During his formative years, John attended school in Ulm and Holly Grove. In 1949, he and his family moved to Hunter, where he attended school before later continuing his education in Brinkley. From a young age, John worked on the family farm, a calling that would become his life’s work.

John met the love of his life, Betty Guenther on a September evening in 1959 at the11-70 in Hazen, Arkansas. Six months later, they were united in marriage on March 4, 1960, at Hunter Methodist Church. In December 1961, John was drafted into the United States Army. He served at Fort Chaffee and Camp Pendleton and was later deployed to Germany.

After his stint in the Army, John returned home to Hunter to farm alongside his father, Oren. He retired from farming in 1992 after approximately 37 years. Never one to remain idle, John continued what he fondly called “piddle farming.” Some of his many projects included baling hay and raising buffalo and cattle at his place in Evening Shade. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, and after retirement he became especially fond of turkey hunting.

After a short illness, John went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Veterans Hospital in Little Rock at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Vernon, Joe, Harvey, and Charles Cruthis; and two sisters, Virginia Cruthis Oltmann and Lucy Cruthis Brown.

John leaves behind family members who will cherish his memory, including his wife of 66 years, Betty A. Cruthis. Brother: Doug Cruthis (Sandra) of DeValls Bluff, Sisters: Mildred Cruthis Lindsey of Cord, Betty Cruthis Gabe (Charles) of Forrest City, Chosen daughter: Angela Ziegenhorn of McCrory. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, too many to count.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers a memorial donation be made to the Hunter Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.