John Templin

Bluffton

John Lawrence Templin, age 73, died on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio after a long illness.

John was born in Springfield, Ohio on May 17, 1952, to Lawrence and Orletta (Warkentin) Templin, who preceded him in death. He spent his earliest years in Yellow Springs, Ohio, before moving with his family to Bloomington, Indiana in 1956, and then to Bluffton, Ohio in 1961, when his father was hired as an English professor at Bluffton College.

John graduated with honors from Bluffton High School in 1970 and from Bluffton College in 1975, with degrees in Art and Mathematics. He went on to earn both an M.A. in painting and a Master of Fine Arts from Bowling Green State University. During his time at BGSU, he focused mainly on painting, producing colorful abstract designs in acrylic and the occasional watercolor. He became interested in symmetry and patterns, creating elaborate designs, first on graph paper with colored markers, and later on the computer, using apps with specialized tools for artists.

John's life took a sharp turn in the fall of 1980, as he became ill and nearly died due to hemochromatosis – a relatively common genetic condition in which the body cannot process and rid itself of iron. This condition is easily treatable but can be damaging to nearly every organ in the body if it goes undiagnosed and untreated. The damage to John's heart forced him to live a fairly restricted life and the damage to his liver led ultimately to the cancer from which he died. But in the nearly 45 years between his diagnosis and his passing, he lived a life full of meaning. In addition to making the world a more beautiful place with his art, John, always a voracious reader, became a life-long student of the humanities, acquiring and reading hundreds of books of history, philosophy and the arts, as well as fiction. He also audited numerous classes at Bluffton College, with history as his favorite subject. He could often be found wearing headphones, listening to a CD or vinyl record from his vast and eclectic music collection. And he was funny – quick-witted and ready with a quip – but always under his breath, so you had to be listening carefully!

In his own quiet way, John impacted so many other people's lives. He was a loving caregiver to his parents in their last years, a steadfast friend and support to his sisters, and an inspiration and mentor to his nieces and nephews, encouraging their artistic pursuits, providing them with books and always surrounding them with love. His love also extended to those outside of his family, giving him a passion for social justice, especially for those both within and outside this country's borders who are poor and oppressed and are striving for a better life. For many years he worked with a local community group in supporting refugees from Central America. Even in his greatly weakened state near the end of his life, he participated in a rally in Toledo for immigrants' rights and immigration reform, organized by FLOC and other community groups.

John leaves behind two sisters, Sara (Baldemar) Velasquez of Sylvania Township and Mary (Douglas Swiatecki) Templin of Holland; nephew Aron (Jenni) Velasquez of Lima; nieces Satya (Jon) Curry of Commerce Township, Mich., Christiana (Aaron) Wagner of Sylvania Township and Elizabeth (Frankie) Julian of Allen Park, Mich.; and great-nephews and great-nieces Benjamin (Mallorie) Curry, Grace (Myan) Hesson, Rachel Curry, Mia Velasquez, Lydia Velasquez, Francesco Julian, Nora Velasquez, Mark Wagner, and Carmela Julian.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Friends Service Committee or Campaign for Migrant Worker Justice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services – Bluffton.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.