John Lewis Sibley Jr.

1936 - 2016

John Lewis Sibley, Jr.

was born May 30, 1936 in Petersburg VA to Maj. (USA) John Lewis Sibley of Hampton VA and Marie Irene Hurst Sibley of Newport News VA. He had two siblings, Charles Nelson Sibley of Chester VA and Mary Lou Geddy of Williamsburg VA. He attended Thomas Dale High School in Chester VA (Class of 1954) and went on to attend the College of William and Mary (Class of 1959). In college he was a member of the Alpha Zeta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, where he forged lifelong friendships among the brotherhood. After college he entered the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and was stationed at Ft. Knox KY. 

It was while stationed at Ft. Knox that he met Oneida Earl Watts and they were married in April 1962. John began working as a salesman at the Lehigh Portland Cement Co. after discharge from the military and had positions in FL, GA, KY & VA through 1971. During this time they were blessed with the births of their three children. In 1971 the family moved to Spokane WA and enjoyed the physical beauty of the Pacific Northwest and formed more lifelong relationships. A corporate move at Lehigh brought the Sibleys to central Indiana; where the children completed their high school and college educations. More professional and private friendships were formed in Indiana until John's career moved him and Oneida to Allentown PA to work at Lehigh corporate headquarters, where he retired as president in 1998. 

Retirement was a fruitful time for the couple as they welcomed the arrival of grandchildren, moved into a residence in Carmel IN and purchased property in Kiawah Island SC. Golf, cooking, entertaining and travel were some of his favorite activities.  He enjoyed golfing with friends at the Woodland Country Club, Carmel IN and at the Governor's Club, Kiawah Island SC. John was active in the Contemporary Club, The Players and The Service Club of Indianapolis. He served as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and worshipped at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Oneida passed away in 2013 and John is survived by his children: John III (Loretta) of Columbus OH, William Watts Sibley (Dawn) of Indianapolis, Kathryn Oneida Loughran (Daniel) of Indianapolis and grandchildren: Lela Sibley, Emily Zubler, Lena Zubler and Nate Zubler, Aine Loughran, Faye Sibley and Rebecca Sibley.

A celebration of John's life we be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church on November 19 at 3:00 p.m., with a visitation in the church Gathering Place from 1:00 p.m.until service time. A reception will take place after the service at 5:00 p.m. at the Woodland County Club, Carmel IN. Memorial contributions can be made to the Northminster Presbyterian Church in leiu of flowers. Arrangements by Indiana Funeral Care.