By Staff
John Oscar Shytle, (aka: Candy Man), 86, passed away after a brief illness Wednesday evening, February 13, 2008, at Washington County Hospital in Plymouth, N.C.
He was born in Rutherford County in North Carolina, April 30, 1921, to Jay Thurman and Lillie Rice Shytle.
He was a member of First Baptist Church in Plymouth, where he was a deacon, choir member, and past member of the building and grounds committee. He earned his nickname, Candy Man, because he always had his pockets full of candy and bubble gum to the delight of young and old alike.
He was past Master of Perseverance Lodge No. 59, a Scottish Rite Mason, and a Shriner of the Sudan Temple in New Bern. He also served in the Navy in WWII.
On July 12, 1947, he married the love of his life, Charlotte McNair. They were married 60 years before she passed away on September 18, 2007.
He loved his family, his friends, his church, and his Lord. He was an avid fisherman in the past, but returned to golf in later years as his main recreation.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Charlie Shytle, Howard Shytle, and Thurman Shytle; two sisters, Myra Ellen Shytle and Ruby Inez Shytle; a daughter-in-law, Joan Shytle; and a niece, Carolyn Shytle Nelson.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Naomi Shytle Roberson (and Wiley) of Williamston; one son, William Douglas Shytle (and Maryann) of Union Grove; two grandsons, Andrew Jay Ittenbach of Lillington, and Dr. Roland Douglas Shytle of Tampa, Fla.; one granddaughter, Lori Shytle Brown, of New York; one sister, Lillie Mae Cagle of East Flat Rock; a special nephew, James Joyner Swain (and Frances) of Big Canoe, Ga. (whom he helped raise as his second father); five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 16, at First Baptist Church in Plymouth with the Reverend Terry Jones and the Reverend Jimmy Hagwood officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Memorial Gardens with full Masonic rites. The family will receive friends at the church fellowship hall Friday, February 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and other times at 109 Country Club Drive in Plymouth.
Walker Funeral Home-Horner Chapel in Plymouth is assisting the family.
Paid Obituary