John Frederick Cribbett was born on Aug. 5, 1946, to James Franklin Cribbett Sr and Lillie Myrtle (Yandell) Cribbett. John arrived two months early with premature lungs that would cause him trouble throughout his years and provide a zest for life that enabled him to persevere. His first friend was his older brother, James Franklin (wife, Jane) Cribbett Jr., whom he adored and admired throughout his lifetime. He was unexpectedly gifted a second brother, Robert Cribbett, who was 16 years his junior, but a giant in John's eyes. The three Cribbett boys were a dynamic trio, always up for a new adventure (and an occasional bit of mischief). John grew up on the northside of Springfield and attended local schools, taking great pride in being a Lanphier Lion and playing drums in the marching band. He graduated from Lanphier in 1964 and went on to nursing training at Memorial Hospital, where he met and began a courtship with Linda Louise Braham. After completing nursing training, John and Linda were married on Sept. 18, 1971. In just over five years, they built a home in Riverton (Spaulding) and grew to a family of five with the birth of three children, Fred, Amy and Andy. John had always wanted the "pitter patter of little feet" filling his house, and he got it threefold. He relished his role as a father and was not shy about sharing his love for and pride in his children. As his kids got married, John became a loving father-in-law to Steve Hobbs, Stephanie Cribbett and Shelly Cribbett. John worked for the state of Illinois in the Department of Public Health through November 2002. After retiring from the state, John followed in his big brother's footsteps and started driving a school bus for the Riverton School District. He especially loved his preschool route and referred to the students on his bus as "my babies." During his working years, John was also an active member of the Air National Guard, attaining a rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring in October 1994 after 24 years of service. In addition to balancing these professional roles, John was the scoutmaster for BSA Troop 13, based at First United Methodist Church in Springfield, his home church since childhood. During his tenure of involvement as a scout leader, many boys advanced through the ranks of scouting, and he was proud to have had over 60 boys from Troop 13 achieve the rank of Eagle Scout under his watch. He was awarded the BSA's highest servant accolade, the Silver Beaver, for his contributions in 1994. In 2007, John lost Linda to cancer. His grief was immense as the future he imagined for the two of them, traveling and enjoying their kids and grandkids together, died along with her. In this time of mourning, he was fortunate to have the support of Tammy Longmeyer, a longtime friend who would become his second wife and provide him with an expanded family that included son Patrick Longmeyer and daughter Brooke Longmeyer (Greenwood). He moved from Riverton to Auburn in 2008 and invested himself in being a great partner to Tammy and a stepfather to Patrick and Brooke. He relished watching them play sports, play music, sing and grow from teens to adults, eventually adding another "daughter," Brooke M, significant other of Patrick, and Shane Greenwood, husband of Brooke. John rebuilt his life in Auburn, driving a school bus for that school district and joining the Meadowview Baptist Church, where he participated in Christmas plays and served as a deacon and treasurer. He and Tammy enjoyed traveling and took several memorable vacations and cruises. He remarked once that he was living his best life "the second time around." One of his great joys in later life included the births of his grandchildren, Linden Hobbs, Suzette Cribbett, Madelyn Hobbs, Hannah Mae Cribbett and Brynlee Sue Greenwood. He was a master patty-cake player and could elicit giggles from all the babies when interacting with them. He also cherished Bianca Greenwood, his bonus granddaughter. John's health was compromised by multiple lung diseases for the last 20 years of his life. He endured and battled through many infections and setbacks. In the end, his lungs could not sustain him anymore, and he passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, surrounded by his family of origin, the family he made with Linda, and the family he found with Tammy. Whether you met John at work, in the Guard, at church, in Boy Scouts, on a school bus, at a Longmeyer Band concert, on a cruise or just out-and-about-town, you met an instant friend, someone who would greet you with a smile and a genuine interest in you from the get-go. His friends and family will cherish his memory. John's family will meet friends at 9 a.m. until the time of the celebration of life service at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, at Meadowbrook Baptist Church, 111 N. Iris Dr., Auburn, IL 62615 with the Rev. David VanBebber officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield with the DOD and the Interveteran Burial Detail of Sangamon County providing military honors. "And awaaaay we go!"