John David Lahr

John D. Lahr, loving husband and father, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the
early morning hours of Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. He was 90 years old. Born Nov. 18,
1928 to (John) Paul and Marybelle Lahr, he attended John Strange Elementary and
Broad Ripple H.S. His Junior year of H.S. he noticed a stunning flautist during Band
practice. Her name was Jane and he knew there was no other girl for him, they
married Sept. 1, 1950.
After obtaining his B.S. in Forestry from Purdue University, he completed his
stateside tour of duty with the Army. He accepted a position with Georgia Craft (a
timber management and harvesting company) and he and his young bride moved to
Macon, GA. During this time, their children James David and Joanne Edrie were
born. In 1962, after being denied a .05/hr raise, John moved his family back to
Indianapolis and went into business with his brother and Father, joining J.P. Lahr &
Sons Roofing Service. He remained there until his retirement in 1993, after becoming
President and co-owner.
John was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He loved to hunt ruffed grouse, pheasant,
rabbits, doves, and wild turkey. He also hunted and bagged wild boar on safaris to the
state of Georgia. John kept his wing shooting skills honed at the Ft. Benjamin
Harrison and Indiana Gun Club skeet ranges. He enjoyed hiking in the forests of
Southern Indiana while scouting habitat for turkey and grouse. John and his wife Jane
took annual excursions to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and the white sand
beaches of Destin.
He became a member of Lawrence United Methodist Church in 1962. He was an
active member, coaching girls and women’s softball, was a faithful member of the
Chancel Choir, and held several positions on the Board of Trustees and various
committees. He was a member of Toastmasters International, The Ruffed Grouse
Society, The Wild Turkey Federation and the NRA.
John was preceded in death by his sister Janet, his father John Paul and his mother
Marybelle. He is survived by his wife Jane, his son Jim and daughter-in-law Janet, his
daughter Joanne and his brother James Edward. He was a loving grandfather of four
and the great grandfather of six.
Calling will be Saturday, October 26 th from noon to 2pm at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens,
located at 9700 Allisonville Rd. The memorial/celebration of life will follow at 2pm.
with burial immediately after. John requested a going away party; dress will be casual
and colorful.