John Charles Settle died unexpectedly at his home Monday, January 14, 2013 after suffering a heart attack. He had a severe heart attack at age 40 and had recently suffered several strokes. John was born August 12, 1957, in Steubenville, Ohio, to Robert L. Settle and Patsy Carter Settle. He was owner-operator of Settle Sales Company in Fort Smith, a business that his dad and mother started in 1961. John was a longtime member of the Fort Smith Elks Lodge, and in 2008 received The Citizen of the Year Award. He was active in the Fort Smith Barbeque Society, participating in many cook-offs with proceeds going to youth organizations. John participated in the "Welcome Home Arkansas Heroes/Armed Forces Day" at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock in 2005, honoring troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.