John Worth Redding

John W. Redding, 84, Marion, Indiana,  passed away peacefully in his favorite chair at home on Sunday, August 14, 2022.  He was born on December 17, 1937 in New Castle, Indiana, to Paul W. and Mary E. (Reynolds) Redding.

He graduated from Middletown High School in 1956.  John proudly served four years in the United States Air Force, and then studied aeronautical technology at Parks College, St. Louis University, graduating on December 11, 1968.  He later received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1997, which he did while working full time and raising a family.

He was employed as a journeyman and airplane mechanic throughout his lifetime, beginning at  Foster Forbes, Marion; Hub Airlines, Ft. Wayne; Skystream, Plymouth; Alexandria Airport, Alexandria; Air Wisconsin, Ft. Wayne, and retiring from Chrysler, Kokomo.

John was a dedicated American, very proud of his years in the Air Force,  and enjoyed spending time with his friends.  He was a member of several distinguished organizations, including the Masonic Lodge, No. 109 F. & A.M. Jonesboro; the American Legion Post 216, Middletown; Amvets Post 5, Marion; and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge, Gas City.  He was also very proud of being awarded membership to the Mach Busters Club of North American Aviation via the United States Airforce for exceeding the sound barrier in a USAF F100 Super Sabre over the Mediterranean Sea.

John was a family man through and through.  He had strong relationships with his aunts, uncles, and cousins, who were more like siblings to him.  His children and grandchildren adored him, and were in turn adored by him.  They always enjoyed hearing the many stories of his more mischievous years as a youth, including seeing if chickens could fly and hiding his sister's cat in the refrigerator.  He was kind and giving from early on.  He gave one of his dear friends an extra coat he had when he was very young, since his friend didn't have a coat to wear during those cold Indiana winters.  He always provided for his children, working hard to give them the extras in life he never had.  He was very proud of his children's accomplishments, and truly enjoyed seeing all of their successes in life.  As a father, he was fun and silly, making up silly games when they were very little, which eventually were extended to his grandchildren.  His expectations were high, and his love was great.  He loved taking his family camping, especially to Michigan and Canada. After retiring, his wife and he traveled the country in their RV, from the historic east coast to the Albuquerque balloon festival.   As a grandfather, he loved spending time with them at holidays, birthday parties, and watching them grow and succeed.  He thought they all looked like "Redding's", and loved it when the grandsons came over and spent the night, watching for squirrels out his front window, and the possums and raccoons that came up at night.

John was an animal-lover, and took in some stray cats and dogs over the years.  His most recent "baby" was little "Missy", who was found as a newborn kitten, and hand-reared.  He took such good care of his pets, always worried when they wouldn't come in at night, unable to rest well until they did.

John has been a good friend to so many throughout the years.  His friendships were very important to him, and he continued to maintain close relationships to so many, even those from his childhood, up to the day he died.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Wilma L. (Wyant) Redding; daughter Elizabeth (Carl) Camacho, Indianapolis; son Marc (Allison) Redding, Winona Lake; grandchildren Cale, Annalee, and Nate Camacho, Indianapolis; grandson Isaac Redding, Winona Lake; sisters Nancy (Gary) McWilliams, Indianapolis, and Rosemary (Merle) Adams, Anderson; stepsisters Mariam (Charlie) Curtiss, Mooreland, and Jama (Larry) Snider, New Castle, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary E. (Reynolds) Redding, father, Paul W. Redding, step-mother, Mary Lou Redding Schmidt, mother-in-law Lena L. Wyant, father-in-law Edgar Wyant, brother-in-law Eddie R. Wyant, stepsister and brother-in-law Sherry (Randy) Dougherty, and niece Lorraine B. Wyant.

Visitation will be held at Ballard and Sons Funeral Home, 118 S 5th St, Middletown, IN 47356, on Sunday, August 21, from 2p.m. - 5:30 p.m., with Masonic Rites beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The funeral will be on Monday, August 22, at 1 p.m. at Ballard and Son's Funeral Home, followed by a military burial service at Mechanicsburg Cemetery, SR 36, Mechanicsburg.

Donations in memory of John W. Redding can be made to the American Legion Post 216 in Middletown, Indiana.  Checks can be mailed to 450 N. 10th St., Middletown, IN  47356.