John Henry Foster, age 85, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2017 in Cape Coral, FL. He was born on February 18, 1932 in Nelliston, NY to the late Orville and Lillian Rosebush Foster. John moved to Arcadia 47 years ago from Utica, NY and has remained in DeSoto County until his recent illness. John was of the Protestant faith.

John served our Great Nation for eight years, he is a veteran from both the US Army and US Air Force. After his discharge from the military he worked for the State of Florida Correctional Institution in Arcadia and retired from there as a Lieutenant. John was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, he lived to make everything better for his family. John spent much of his retirement time fishing and built a beautiful home for his wife.

He is survived by two sons Rocko A. (JoAnne) Alsante of Utica, NY and Timothy A. (Denise) Foster of Arcadia, FL.; seven daughters Jane E. (Jimmy) Davis of Arcadia, FL., Suzanne (Bill) Wight of Punta Gorda, FL., Avis E. (Frank) Beitler of Cape Coral, FL., Peggy Ann Foster of Alabama, Shirley A. (Steven) Adcock of Arcadia, FL, Becky A. (Jeff) Johnson of Oklahoma, and Trina J. (Trevor) Howard of Arcadia, FL.; brother Harold (Debbie) Foster of NY and sister Jane Lyndig or NY,; thirty-two grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Ann Foster, his parents and three sons William E. Alsante, Richard J. Alsante and Harold Foster

A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 9:30am until 11:00am at the chapel of Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes, 50 N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia.

Funeral services will follow the visitation at 11:00am at the chapel with Rev. Ellis Cross of N. Hillsborough Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at Joshua Creek Cemetery, Arcadia with Military Honors.

Online condolences can be made at pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes have been entrusted with the arrangements.