John C. Potter, 76, of Farmington passed away following a head injury on Oct. 11, 2014, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

He had battled with cancer for more than two years prior to his accident.

He was born Aug. 27, 1938, in Oxford, Neb., to Russell and Lillian (Negley) Potter.

He is survived by his wife, Connie; his brother, Glenn Potter of Avon; two daughters, Kate Potter of Farmington and Kris Percy of Fullerton, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Angie Renner of Farmington and Alicia Mathison of Peoria; one stepson, Aaron Pensinger of Farmington; three grandchildren; and 10 stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Katherine Schendel; and one brother, James M. Potter.

John was a practicing attorney in Farmington for 42 years in the law firm of Baudino, Potter & Maas, and later with Froeling, Weber and Schell, where he was of counsel. He was an active member of the Peoria and Fulton County bar associations and served one term as president of the latter.

John was always active in community affairs in and around Farmington. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Farmington and the Farmington Rotary Club. He served on the boards of Graham Hospital Association in Canton, the Farmington Area Public Library Board and the Trivoli Cemetery Board, and was active with the Fulton County Rehabilitation Center, Spoon River Hospice, the YMCA in Canton and the Farmington Academic Foundation.

Everyone who knew John knew of his passion for fitness, riding his bicycle all over the world during warm seasons and skiing during winter. He was a charter member of the Spoon River Wheelmen and a member of the Bloomington-Normal ski club. John distinguished himself by riding across the United States on two different occasions and across Iowa (RAGBRAI) 27 times. He was also active in the Fulton County Handball Club and performed in numerous Fulton County theater productions, most recently "8" at the Many Lights Theater in May of 2014.

John touched the lives of many students, both at home and abroad. In addition to extensive mentoring, he and Jo Katherine hosted more than a dozen students from around the world, most significantly sponsoring the Le family when they immigrated to Illinois from Vietnam. John became "Dad" to Lan, Luan, Binh and Thai Le and "Grandpa" to their children.

Memorials may be made to the Farmington Area Public Library District at 266 E. Fort St., Farmington, IL 61531.

To leave an online condolence to the family, visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.