In Memory

John Henry Stewart

Obituary for John H. Stewart

Local businessman, master storyteller, and practical joker, John H. Stewart, 76 of Martinsville, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 9:03 pm at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis. John’s life began on Saturday, January 22, 1944 in Martinsville, Indiana. He was the son of the late George Otis and Eleanor Maxine (Sawyer) Stewart.
John’s entire life was spent in Martinsville, where he attended school, married and raised a family, owned successful businesses, held numerous memberships and volunteered countless hours to his community. He graduated from Martinsville High School with the class of 1962 and shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Karen Darlene (Minnix) Stewart. After a two-year courtship, John and Karen were married at the First Christian Church in Martinsville on November 14, 1964.
In 1972, John gained employment with The Rough Notes Company in Indianapolis, assisting insurance agents’ needs as the company’s vice-president for fourteen years. In 1986, John and his wife, Karen, purchased Fire Safety Company in Martinsville, working alongside one another for nearly 20 years. In 1994, the dynamic duo took on yet another business venture when they built Store More Complex in Martinsville. John’s hard work and determination was evident not only in his career, but also his personal life. He had been actively involved in the Martinsville Noon Lions, Elks Lodge, V.F.W., American Legion, Moose, Masonic Lodge #74, Morgan County Shrine Club, and the Scottish Rite, as well as, the Bonita Springs Eagles. John enjoyed a round of golf, fishing, scouring the woods for morel mushrooms, socializing, telling stories, and being one of the very greatest pranksters to have ever lived! Though he was ‘well known’ for being a prankster, John had an extraordinarily kind heart and was known to have given generously to those in need and without recognition.
His untimely passing has a left a huge void in the lives of so many including his best friend and wife of nearly 56 years, Karen Stewart of Martinsville; his beloved son, Mark Stewart of Indianapolis; and his five sisters, Jean (husband, David) Bailey of Florida, Iva (husband, Gary) Wininger of Indianapolis, Janet (husband, Marc) Rickett of Franklin, Susan (husband, Nelson) Cramer of Martinsville and Lynne (husband, Dennis) Atkinson of Camby.
John was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Charles E. “Chuck” Inman Jr. and one sister, Patricia Hadji.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday, September 27th from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm at Neal & Summers Funeral Home in Martinsville. There will be a private funeral service for John’s family and closest friends on Monday, September 28th and he will be laid to rest following the service in New South Park Cemetery, Martinsville. NOTICE: All guests will be required to provide and wear a face covering before entering the building in effort to suppress the spread of COVID-19 and protect the family and community.
Contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Churches in Mission food pantry, c/o Neal & Summers.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the Stewart family online at www.nealandsummers.com

From TributeArchive.com, Sep2020







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