John F. Minch

A public celebration of faith, family and service commemorating John’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 28 ^th at 5:00 pm at the South Adams Senior Center, 825 Hendricks Street, Berne Indiana.

Following the time of remembrance, there will be light refreshments served and an opportunity for friends to gather and share their memories of John with Jane and their family from 5:30-7:30 pm.

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John F. Minch , 84, of Berne, Indiana passed away Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at Parkview Randallia Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was born on January 11, 1937, in Bryant Indiana to Mathias John Minch and Julia Rose (Remakalus) Minch. He was united in marriage to Jane Montgomery on July 28, 1962 at Saint John the Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

John was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in rural Bryant, where he was chairman of the church finance committee. He served with the Indiana Air National Guard, was a member of the Elks Club, Indiana Retired Teachers Association, Indiana Mayor’s Association, Adams County Election Board, Adams County Public Defender’s Board, and Swiss Heritage Society (Berne), where he held the office of president for many years.

John graduated from Bryant High School, Bryant Indiana and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ball State. John was a long-time educator and varsity basketball coach, working for 40 years teaching and coaching in various schools including,  Bryant High School, Jay School Corporation, South Adams Schools, and Bishop Dwenger High School. He was principal of Bloomfield Elementary School (Bryant) and East Jay Jr. High School (Portland) before ultimately retiring from education as the assistant superintendent of Jay School Corporation.  John served two terms as Berne mayor. For the past 35 years, John and his wife Jane have owned and operated their beloved Schug House Inn bed and breakfast in Berne.

John was actively involved in Democratic politics in Adams County, remaining non-partisan in how he brought about the greater good for the community. His crowning achievement was being elected mayor of the city of Berne. His devotion and love for the city of Berne was evident in how he managed affairs of the city and the concern he had for the citizens under his care. John had a heart for the youth wherever he was involved; by way of his positive, can do attitude and the mentorship he provided to young people, he would instill in them the values of honesty and enthusiasm in all of their endeavors. He enjoyed watching professional sports, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Browns, Indiana Pacers and Indy Car racing, especially the Indianapolis 500. John and Jane loved attending their grandchildren’s sporting events and activities, and spending time in Vero Beach, Florida.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Minch of Berne, Indiana; son, Ted (Christine) Minch of Fishers, Indiana; daughter, Alison (Tim) Davis of Indianapolis, Indiana; sister, Mary Helen Stoycos of Cleveland, Ohio; and six grandchildren, Lindsey, Mallory, Olivia, Ayrton, Ellery and Boomer John.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and three siblings.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 7321 IN - 67 Bryant, Indiana with Father Peter Logsdon officiating. The Mass will be lived streamed on the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home Facebook page, for those that cannot attend the Mass. Interment will follow in the Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery.

A Community Celebration of John’s life will be held later this summer.  Details will be released once they are finalized.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Swiss Heritage Society, Riley Children’s Hospital, and/or the Bryant Community Building.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne, Indiana.