John Conway

John William Conway February 18, 1950 -June 2, 2023 “When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder---I’ll be there!” While no family member could say with certainty which of the many hymns John William Conway enjoyed the most, the absolute favorite, everyone agrees, this hymn is him, When asking family and friends for words and phrases that captured John, these were heard over and over—'a kind, gentle soul’, ‘loved everyone’, loved to laugh’, ‘never had a bad or critical thing to say about anyone’, and ‘could fix anything’. What was the essence of John that propelled these virtues? He knew, “The love of God always takes precedence over the laws of God,”—“love God, love one another.” In the commandment to ‘love one another’, the pinnacle for John was family--the love of family. John William Conway was born on February 18, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana to the rapidly blossoming family of Gerald (Gene/Daddy/Grandad) Conway and Ruth (Mom/Granny Ruthie) DeFrees Conway. John was the second child, joining his ‘Irish Twin’ sister Cynthia, as Gene finished pharmacy school at Butler University. Upon graduation the family moved back to their idyllic hometown of Worthington, and Gene began working as a pharmacist, then manager, and finally owner of the Corner Rexall Drug Store. Soon after returning to Worthington, more brothers and sisters began arriving: David, George, Mary, and Geanna—like John, these are the sweetest souls you could ever know. John worked at the drugstore as did all the siblings. It was a true family business. Whether at home or work, John would hear almost daily from Daddy, “I’m so glad God sent you to our house to live.” So did the siblings. From mother the family would hear, “love is never divided, only multiplied,” and her ubiquitous, “Those who give have all things.” These were John’s anchors. John graduated from Worthington-Jefferson High School, attended Vincennes University, then joined the United States Air Force. John’s ability to fix anything was evident in high school and college, but his mechanical gifts shined in the U. S. Air Force. John was the head mechanic for a demonstration squadron that made spectacular ‘take-off and touchdown’ presentation across Europe to highlight the dominance and prestige of the U. S. military during the Cold War. John’s full name and rank was boldly emblazoned across the aircraft followed by the title, ‘mechanic.’ John’s was a proud, fulfilling, and expansive life, he thought, until he came to know what those terms really meant with the birth of his daughters, Stephanie--a full throttle, high-performance, supersonic force, and Melanie--a calming, talented, quieting, and soothing spirt. These precious ‘Cookie Cutter Conways’ became John’s new take off and touch-down dual upon which he could proudly emblazoned his name as father. Stephanie’s favorite memory—how dad made her the best flashlight holder and wrench getter anywhere. She always helped him work on vehicles when she was small—a cherished time together. In following his mother’s saying ‘Love is never divided, only multiplied,’ John was blessed by God to meet his beloved Becky Johnson. She, too, believed that the love of God and love of your fellow man takes precedent over all, but she melted this faith with a perfect philosophy, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” If you love God, love one another, and don’t sweat the small stuff, life can bring you your dreams. For John and Becky life did. On January 19th, 1991, they married. This added thoughtful, dependable, and bright Megan, kind, hilarious, and loyal Kent, and lovely, creative, and sincere Gretchen to John’s life. And, this brought the take-off-touchdown ‘dynamic dual’ of Stephanie and Melanie to Becky’s life. But wait, there’s more! In just ten short months, this yours and mine family became ‘yours, mine, and ours’ cemented by the birth of John, Jr. (J.}. In time J. proved to be an intelligent, caring, capable, and proficient ballast to this full-of-life, caring family. Indeed, love multiplies and with it joy. Becky and John had so much fun in their life together. They enjoyed their time at church, yard sales, and any second, minute, hour, or day they could spend with family. John took so much pride in all Becky’s crafts and talents. While each grandchild may only be listed as a name—each is gigantic, sparkling constellation of joy for John and Becky—the meaning and value of their lives. John was the ultimate Mr. Fix It. He supported his family with his work at Jasper Engine, using the same skills that made him a supreme asset to the United States Air Force. John said he never built things with skill alone, he built them with dedicated commitment. A faulty engine could cost someone his or her life. If there were only more John’s in the world! John loved his work at Jasper Engines, but finally had to retire on August 14, 2015. John then turned to repairing (with doctors’ help) himself. With God’s admonition to “be not afraid’ and the love of family, John healed himself of two generally fatal cancers and an open heart-surgery. It always seemed that the avatar of our battling-back, fixing anything John Conway was his prized 1956 Buick Special, given to him by his dad, Gene. The original 1956 ad for his cherished car says, “up front, first find the Wide-Screen Grille”--- John’s broad smile. “Curbside, you take in the rake of the arching sweep of the broad panoramic windshield”—his dancing eyes. “Under the hood you have the principle of the modern plane propellers—one pitch gives you gas-saving economy in normal driving, and another pitch gives you electrifying new safety-surge for sudden acceleration when you need it”. This is John ready for any adventure but tempered with the ability to adjust and adapt to life in good times and in challenging ones. John—the classic, the ‘Special.” Grandson Kameron tells how his Papaw John could also repair the spirit. “Papaw was always one you could call and say,” hey, you wanna go do this with me, and he would be down to go. Last road trip we had, I called him and asked if he wanted to go with me in the semi to take corn to Evansville, and he was just tickled pink to go. So, I had to push his butt into the cab seat—sometimes it took me and Keegan to get his butt into the cab. He smiled the whole way—that is, when we weren’t laughing hysterically. Papaw could mend anyone’s spirit. On the way back, as we always did, Papaw wanted to stop at Love’s Truck Stop and buy me a drink. Of course, this was just a way for Papaw to be able tell the cashier (again) that I was his grandson then proceed to tell the cashier all about his many, many amazing grandchildren. It didn’t matter how many people were lined up behind us, Papaw was talking about his grand and great children. The people waiting, at first impatient, soon were smiling as Papaw talked on and on. Of course, that also meant we were in the parking lot as they same folks walked by, and I am working my hardest to get Papaw’s butt back in the cab—theirs faces showed Papaw was continuing to repair spirits---and that just made him laugh more” Granddaughter Maya wanted to share her favorite Papaw memory. She had a school project that asked her to call and interview people who had been to Washington, DC and ask them what their favorite DC attraction was. Maya called Papaw and he said he had had some really good shrimp while there and that was his favorite thing. An assertion could be made that a “Be Like John” mantra is sorely needed across the globe. If everyone would, ‘Be like John’, lift their eyes and simply “Love God and love one another,” the souls God has sent from heaven to this world would have a much better chance of returning. Too many, probably in fear, are looking down, self-deputize themselves as the enforcers of the laws of Godissuing citations on who is worthy and not. John is the example-he knew the love of God always takes precedent over the laws of God. ‘Be Like John!’ Fix the world! Repair the world! Heal the world! June 1, 2023, and nearing 4:00 am in the Jasper Memorial Hospital, John was preparing to be discharged later that morning when he began squirming in the bed and twice said, “Help me Lord.” “Help me Lord.” John William Conway then said affirmatively, ‘Thank you, Jesus,” and raised his right hand powerfully to the sky. The roll was called up yonder. John was there. John was greeted in Heaven by his mother, Ruth, his father, Gene, his brother David, and his nephew, Kurt. He leaves behind his dear wife, Becky Conway, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Stephanie and (Jay) Streepy and grandchildren Keegan, Kameron, Kyler, Kaydee, and great grandchildren, Wesley and Whitleigh, Melanie (Joseph) Uhlarik and Anessa, Isaiah, Ian, Elijah, and Ava, J. and (Ashley) Conway, and grandchildren Emerick, Maya, and Margaux., blended family Kent (Laurie) Johnson, Beau, and Lane, great grandchild Milo, Gretchen Chism, Owen, Jared and Riley, and Megan (Bill) Gadberry, Cody and Aaron and great grandchild Hudson. His siblings-Cynthia and Carroll McCauley, Panama City, FL, George and Crystal Conway, Worthington, Indiana, Mary and Jim Benjamin, Columbus, Indiana, Geanna Secoy, Bloomington, Indiana, a football field size of adoring nieces, nephews, their spouses and other family members and friends. Celebration of John’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the Petersburg Nazarene Church, 118 West Pike Avenue, Petersburg, IN. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. with services at 5:00 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Harris Funeral Homes in Petersburg, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to donate to The Dyslexia Foundation or The American Heart Association. A Memorial in Worthington, Indiana at a later date.

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