John E. Neighbarger

John E. Neighbarger, 75 of Mount Vernon passed away on July 5, 2024 at Knox Community Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on February 3, 1949 to Ralph S. and Norma Jean (Ansel) Neighbarger in Mount Vernon, OH.
He was a graduate from Mount Vernon High School, class of 1967. John retired from American Electric Power after 35 years of service. He also delivered the Columbus Dispatch on the southside of Mount Vernon and he worked at Doc Fixits Repair Shop from 1965 – 1968. John then enlisted in the US Navy in 1968 and spent 3 tours in Vietnam serving on the USS Constellation 64 and the USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63. He was a life member of VFW Post 4027, past president of the Dad's of Foreign Service and a past member of the Moose. John was a 59-year member of The Boy Scouts of America where he was a troop leader and served as Knox County Eagle Scout Advancement Chairman. He was a Girl Scout volunteer and served as Troop Cookie Chairman. John also coached Little League and girls softball. He was a member and past Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon, OH.
John was a devoted husband for 51 years. He loved raising his children and spending time with his grandchildren. John enjoyed hunting for arrowheads, knot tying, hunting and fishing. He was very proud of his service in the US Navy. He was honored to receive the Inaugural Distinguished Silver Beaver Award and many district awards from the Boy Scouts of America. He was a James E. West Fellow. He took Honor Flight #95 on April 27, 2019 out of Columbus to Washington D.C. John was a talker with a great sense of humor, he could tell stories all day. He was known for humorous one liners like "If you keep lying to me I'll keep lying to you."
John is survived by his wife Pamela A. (Blubaugh) Neighbarger; children Mark Neighbarger of Mount Vernon, OH, Michael (Nanette) Neighbarger of Howard, OH, Andrew (Jackie) Neighbarger of Gambier, OH and Dawn (Ron) Ringenbach of Broomfield, CO; grandchildren Nicholas (Lindsay) Neighbarger, Dawson Neighbarger, Wesley Neighbarger and Leah Neighbarger; a sister Elizabeth Neighbarger of Mount Vernon, OH and a brother Kenneth (Karen) Neighbarger of Mount Vernon, OH.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William and Charles Neighbarger, daughter-in-law Rosa Neighbarger, and great-grandson Theodore Neighbarger.
A special thank you to all the wonderful Doctors, Nurses, PCA's and staff at KCH ICU and PCU. They took care of Dad like a member of their own family. Thank you to the staff at Country Club for their care during his short stay. Finally, thank you to Rev. Ross Slaughter for his support during this difficult time.
Memorial contributions can be made in John's memory to BSA Muskingum Valley Council, 734 Moorehead Ave., Zanesville, OH 43701; First Presbyterian Church 106 N. Gay Street, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 or Honor Flight, 2233 N. Bank Dr., Columbus, OH 43220.
Calling hours will be Monday, July 15, 2024 at Dowds – Snyder Funeral Home, 201 Newark Rd., Mount Vernon, OH 43050 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 12:00pm with calling hours one hour prior to the service with the Rev. Ross Slaughter officiating. Graveside services will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.