John J. Bedel, 89

On December 11, 2016, our dear husband and father, John Bedel, passed from this world into the loving hands of Our Heavenly Father. He was born in Franklin County on March 14, 1927. He attended school in Peppertown, Oldenburg, and Batesville, with his dad driving him to Oldenburg in a Model T Ford. He married the love of his life, Thelma Oesterling, on June 10th, 1950. They moved to Greensburg soon after that. John was a member of “The Song Birds”, a musical group that sang at nursing homes, Decatur County Community Artists, of which he was past president, Knights of Columbus, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was a frequent blue ribbon winner at the county fair art contests.
John was remembered for being strong, a hard worker, thrifty, ingenious, and a man with a kind attitude. He and Thelma were quite resilient and showed courage in the face of adversity throughout their lives together. He had been a veterinary assistant, house and sign painter, carpenter, farmer, and BCA employee. His unique talents were landscape painting, lettering, pin striping horse carriages, carpentry, and playing music. He was able to paint pictures even after macular degeneration started robbing him of his sight, winning a reserve Grand Champion at the 4-H Fair during this time. He yodeled and taught himself to play the guitar, harmonica, accordion, and keyboard. John loved nature and was inspired to paint nature and landscape works. He instilled a love of the outdoors and hiking in all of his children. John had an engineering mind, saved everything and could fix anything.
John leaves behind his wife of 66 years Thelma, 2 sons: Victor (Jackie) Bedel, Fountaintown and Vernon (Mary) Bedel, Muncie. In addition, John has 3 daughters: Margie (Jack) Williams, Danville; Rose (Paul) Remmler, Wyoming, Michigan and Annette (Tom) Faust, Greensburg. His grandchildren are Cary Fuller, Erin Mayes, Matt Bedel, Paul Bedel Michelle Williams, Gabe Williams, Mark Remmler, Steven Remmler, Ryan Bottorff, Chris Bottorff, and Jamie Bottorff. He has 8 great grandchildren. John leaves behind his brother, Lou Bedel, Cincinnati and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents John and Anna (Geisting) Bedel, two brothers, five sisters, and Ben Bedel, a beloved grandson.
The family wishes to thank his caregivers at Decatur County Memorial Hospital, Aspen Place, Morning Breeze, and the Columbus Regional Hospital Hospice Center, Thanks to everyone for your kindness, understanding and prayers.
Family and friends will gather at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home to pray the rosary. Visitation will follow the rosary until 8:00 p.m. at the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home in Greensburg.
Visitation will also be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greensburg with Rev. John Meyer officiating.
Interment will be held in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.popfuneralhome.com