John A. Templeton

John A. Templeton, 80, of Terre Haute died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born March 31, 1927, in Chicago, to Philip H. Templeton and Florence M. Templeton. He was retired from Templeton Coal Company.Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Norma Ronni Frazier Templeton; daughters, Lori Fetter and her husband Dick of Carmel, Linda Brighton and her husband Curt of Terre Haute, Leslie Rapp and her husband John of Indianapolis, and Sally Nichols and her husband Jim of Terre Haute; sisters, Pauline Anshutz and her husband Frank of Terre Haute, Phyllis Myers and her husband Bill of Indianapolis; brothers, Stuart Templeton of Palm Desert, Calif., and Thomas Templeton and his wife Carol of Terre Haute; grandchildren, Christopher Fetter, Philip Fetter, Andrew Brighton, James Brighton, John Rapp, Lauren Rapp, J.B. Rapp, Alexandra Nichols and Samantha Nichols; great-grandchildren, Landon Brighton and Reese Brighton; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.He graduated from Garfield High School, attended Virginia Military Institute and graduated from Indiana University in 1950. He was a member of the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948, and served in Italy and Trieste shortly after the conclusion of World War II.Prior to retirement, he was an active business and community leader. He was formerly a principal in the Miller, Templeton and Scott Insurance Agency and he was an executive with Templeton Coal Company for more than 40 years, where he served as both President and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Other past business affiliations include service as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Plumb Supply Company of Des Moines, Iowa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sherwood Templeton Coal Company, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Merchants National Bank of Terre Haute and Lynch Coal Operators Reciprocal Association. His professional business affiliations include serving as President of the Indiana Independent Insurance Agents Association and on the Boards of Directors of Indiana Coal Association, Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Vigo County Taxpayers Association. His community and public service affiliations include service on the Board of Directors (Chairman) of Union Hospital, Board of Directors of Indiana State University Foundation and as a Trustee of the University of Evansville. He was a member of ISU President’s Society, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Board of Associates, Indiana University Varsity Club, Social Masonic Lodge No. 86 F and AM, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute, Zorah Shrine, Columbia Club of Indianapolis, Country Club of Terre Haute, Pachyderm Club, BPO Elks Lodge 86, Aero Club, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Well House Society and Gideons International. He was a lifelong member of Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, where he served in many positions of leadership.During his final illness, John received extraordinarily professional and loving care from the nurses, doctors and staff of Methodist Hospital’s Cardiac Medical Critical Care Unit 4 East, for which his family will be forever grateful.Funeral services are 10 a.m. Monday in Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, 1203 Maple Avenue, Terre Haute, with the Rev. Monty Barker and Dr. John Thomas officiating. Visitation is 3 to 7 p.m. today in the church. Burial is in Highland Lawn Cemetery with graveside military honors conducted by VFW Post No. 972. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan and Hughes Funeral Home, 605 S. 25th St. The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, 1203 Maple Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47804; Union Hospital Foundation, 1606 N. Seventh St., Terre Haute, IN 47804; or to the charity of your choice.