John Virgil Ohlin was born June 20, 1933, to Peter and Helen Ohlin in Milaca, Minnesota. He was promoted to his heavenly home on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Signe and her husband Joe Kowalski, and brothers Anar and Morris Ohlin.
After graduating from high school in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, John attended North Central Bible Institute in Minneapolis, where he graduated in 1954. While attending college, he met Joanne Montag from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The couple married on September 5, 1953.
John’s first ministry position was serving as youth and assistant pastor at Gospel Tabernacle, Oshkosh, Wisconsin (1954-1955). After his dad was killed in a car accident in 1955, John was elected to take his father’s place as pastor of the Assembly of God in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. From 1957-1963, he pastored in Adams, Wisconsin, while serving as assistant youth and Christian education director for the Wisconsin/Northern Michigan District (WNMD) of the Assemblies of God. From 1963 to 1968, John served the WNMD as youth and Christian education director and camp manager in Waupaca, Wisconsin.
In 1968 he was invited and moved to Springfield, Missouri, to work at the International Headquarters of the Assemblies of God. During his years there he served five years as coordinator of Mobilization and Placement Service and five years as coordinator of New Church Evangelism. He then worked as Conference and Convention coordinator for 19 years, organizing regional and national events including the biennial General Councils that drew up to 20,000 attendees. During this time he was also involved in the prestigious Religious Conference Management Association. He served on its board for 15 years, four years as president. At the annual RCMA meeting in 1995 he was given the Award of Excellence for meeting planning. After taking early retirement in late 1996, he went back to work in 1998 for HealthCare Ministries (now CompassionLink), the medical missions arm of the Assemblies of God, serving as office manager.
John is survived by his loving wife, Joanne; three daughters and their spouses: Cheri and Doug Moos, Becki and Doug Iannone, and Jodi and Mark Harmon, all of Springfield, Missouri. Additional surviving family members include seven grandchildren: Caleb Moos, Colton and wife Sandie Moos, Kelsi and husband Matt Thomas, Johnathon Harmon and Emily Harmon, all of Springfield, Missouri; Sarra Satyadas of Norman, Oklahoma; and Sami and husband Adrian Chapman of Weatherby Lake, Missouri. John is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Avram Haltman, Adelaide and Madelynn Thomas, and Clemson Moos; one sister, Dorothy and husband Philip Johnson; two brothers, David and wife Donna Ohlin, and Darwin and wife Doreen Ohlin; and two sisters-in-law, Patty Ohlin and Shirley Ohlin; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
John set a godly example in leadership and as a Christian gentleman. He enjoyed his association with other meeting and city planners, hotel managers, caterers, and union workers. He was respectful and appreciative of everyone regardless of status or position. He was always caring and looking out for his neighbors and friends. He was a faithful member of Central Assembly of God for almost 50 years. His love of sports, and especially golf, connected him with people from all walks of life. JVO was one of a kind.
Visitation will be held at Central Assembly of God on Thursday, May 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service is at 2 p.m. at Central on Friday, June 1, under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to CompassionLink or WNMD (Spencer Lake Christian Center Camp Partners).

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