John Pease

John J. Pease, 87 of Bluffton, passed away at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at River Terrace Estates. John was born on October 4, 1924 in Wells County, Indiana to Lester R. Pease and Evelyn D. (Speheger) Pease. He married Esther L. (Ginter) in Wells County on April 14, 1946. She preceded him in death on July 27, 2001. John married Phyllis (Barnett) Langel in Adams County on September 24, 2002 and she survives. John was a graduate of Bluffton High School. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran having served our country from July 29, 1943 to January 24, 1946 in the European Theater. John worked for 27 ½ years for the U.S. Postal Service and retired as the Superintendent of Postal Operations in December of 1980. In his retirement, John worked as a bus driver and van driver for Bluffton Harrison Schools for seventeen years. John was a 70+ year member of First Baptist Church in Bluffton where he formerly served as treasurer, trustee, and sang in the choir. He was a former member of the Bluffton Kiwanis Club and served as their president in 1967. He was a 60+ year member of the Grover Sheets American Legion Post #111. John was also a member of the Bluffton Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Mizpah Shrine Temple, and the Eastern Star having formerly served as their Worthy Patron. In addition to his wife, John is survived by two daughters, Gloria (Noel) Phegley of Columbia City, Janet (Herb) Heyerly of Bluffton, a daughter-in-law, Julie Pease of Arlington, Texas, two step-sons, Donald W. Langel of Lafayette, Timothy B. (Linda) Langel of Linn Grove, three step-daughters, Sarah J. (Jonathan) Stutzman of Berne, Catherine A. (Kelley) Householder of Bluffton, Beth I. (Carl) Waterman of Sullivan, two grandchildren, Abby (Jared) English of South Whitley, Jamie (Ryan) Peppler of Columbia City, seven step-grandchildren, Jade Heyerly of Bluffton, Jared (Angel) Heyerly of Ossian, Amanda Householder of Lancaster, Ohio, Melissa Householder of O’Fallon, Illinois, Brad (Jennifer) Waterman of Sullivan, Kyle (Liz) Brown of Birmingham, Alabama, Jacki (Abe) Lawless of Texas and eight great-grandchildren. John was also preceded in death by two sons, James Alan Pease in 1963 and Thomas R. Pease in 2003. Calling hours are 1:00 to 4:00 and 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Thoma/Rich, Chaney & Lemler Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. A service celebrating John’s life will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Bluffton with Pastor Bud Abrams officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post #111 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Preferred memorials are to First Baptist Church or to the local Hospice agency, Family Life Care. Online condolences may be made at www.thomarich.com.

John Pease

October 4, 1924 - June 5, 2012