John Malcolm Dunnette – dedicated husband, father, grandfather, friend, veteran of the US Army, and man of faith – passed away in his sleep surrounded by his loving family at his home in Rising Sun, Indiana, on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
John was born to John Hartford and Katherine Ann Dunnette in Jacksonville, Ohio, on November 24, 1933. He graduated from Glouster High School in 1951 before attending Ohio University. After graduating from Ohio University, he began his thirty-plus-year career as a high school teacher, coach, and athletic administrator.
John is survived by his wife Flora Dunnette; by his loving children, Kathy Dunnette, Keri Dunnette, Kevin (Sharyn) Dunnette, Kurt Dunnette, Bill Fehling Jr., Pam (Bill) McClure, Kim (Randy) McIntosh; by his brother William (Brenda) Dunnette; and by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren who he loved and cherished. He considered himself extremely blessed to have two families who adored him and brought him much joy and an eternity’s worth of memories.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his sister Sue Ann Hunter, his first wife Beverley Dunnette, and his daughter Kelly (Bihn) Dunnette.
John enjoyed fishing and camping, travelling (he visited all 50 states), attending his family members’ sporting events, and being active in his church and other organizations.
Perhaps John is best summed up in this personal letter from Bill McClure, written not long before John’s passing:
I know recently you have felt terrible, so I thought I might tell you a story I heard a long time ago in hopes of cheering you up and helping with your recovery.
There was a very capable man who throughout his life had accomplished many laudable feats, yet he never bragged or never boasted. A friend asked him one time, “Why don’t you tell people of all you have done?” His answer was simple and straight to the point: “It’s not important for them to know, it’s only important for ME to know.”
That is John Dunnette in a nutshell. A young man from the coal country who excelled in high school and at Ohio University in both football and basketball; served his country as a Captain in the Army; rubbed shoulders with Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman, Gordy Coleman, Sparky Anderson, and many of The Big Red Machine; was the head athletic director for all of the Cincinnati suburban schools during the time of integration; served as President of the Ohio High School Athletic Association; and my favorite, saw Rick Mount get his foot taped prior to the inaugural game at Mackey Arena. But all these stories and this information wasn’t offered, I had to ask, and I am certainly glad I did.
John, you are the most accomplished, yet modest, polite, and thoughtful person I know – dang it, get well soon so I can learn more!
Visitation Saturday, January 14, 10-11 am followed by the memorial service at the St. John Lutheran Church, 220 Mechanic St, Aurora, IN 47001.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran School, 222 Mechanic St, Aurora, IN 47001.