Johnny Pete Bryan, age 80, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
He was born August 29, 1945, in Marion County, the son of Matthew A. and Gean M. (Phariss) Bryan. He was a graduate of Flora High School and resided in Xenia for most of his life.
On July 24, 1963, at 18 years old, Johnny became the second generation of Bryans to work on Illinois Central Railroad. Johnny worked as a track welder for Illinois Central, later renamed Canadian National Railroad in 1999, ultimately retiring on August 29, 2005, after 43 years of service. In his early years, he enjoyed coon hunting and farming. Johnny spent his time between working on the railroad, raising cattle, and farming throughout his adult life. He was said to have a “green thumb” and could make anything grow. After retirement from the railroad, Johnny continued to raise cattle, farm, and work outside taking care of his life’s work. Johnny was married to Shirley (Hough) Bryan on October 21, 1972, at the Methodist Church in Flora.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley Bryan of Xenia; children: Jeff A. Bryan of Xenia, Jim M. Bryan and wife Jessica of Salem, Shelley A. Bryan of Xenia, Angela R. Pruitt and husband Nelson of Xenia, and Stephanie (Bryan) McCullough of Watseka; grandchildren: Andrew John Bryan Arnone of Flora and Kyler Le Bryan of Salem; siblings: Lula
Grace (Bryan) Garrison and husband Chip of Xenia, Carol (Bryan) Little and husband Harry of Xenia, and Margie (Bryan) Fey and husband Rick of Arizona; 6 nieces and nephews; and 2 great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in passing by his parents; and siblings: Peggy (Bryan) Hinterscher and Billie Jean (Bryan) Heiden.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Brother Jeff Hough officiating. Interment will follow in Powers Cemetery, Xenia. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Heart Association, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
