John R. Obenchain

July 26, 1942 - June 2, 2009
SOUTH BEND - John R. Obenchain, 66, of South Bend, IN, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, in the Hospice House in Elkhart, IN. He was born on July 26, 1942 in Montgomery, AL, to the late Jeanette (Lee) and Roland Obenchain. On December 29, 1965 in San Marino, CA he married Barbara Ann Baillie who survives. John is also survived by three daughters, Cheryl L. (Greg Oleary) Obenchain of Chicago, IL, Deborah H. Obenchain and Laura A. Obenchain both of South Bend, three sons, John R. (Sandra) Obenchain, Jr. of Piscataway, NJ, Richard D. Obenchain, of South Bend, and Michael A. (Maureen Butz) Obenchain of Indianapolis, IN, five grandchildren, Cimonne, Robert Maxwell, Alexander, Samantha, and Korbin, a sister, Ann Obenchain of Chicago, a brother, Lee A. (Rebecca) Obenchain of Henderson, KY and his step mother, Helen Obenchain of Bridgman, MI. John was a long time partner of Jones Obenchain law firm and was of Counsel to the firm. He was the third generation partner following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father. He received his B.S. in 1964 from Colorado State University, and his J.D. in 1970 from Valparaiso University School of Law and was admitted to the bar in Indiana that same year. He was a Certified Mediator and Arbitrator of Civil Cases. John was very involved in the South Bend community. He served as the Chairman of the Grievance Committee of St. Joseph County Bar Association from 1976 to 1984. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the South Bend Area Crime Stoppers, Inc. He served as President, Editor, Secretary and Director of the Kiwanis Club of South Bend and in 2004 he received the Life Member status from Kiwanis International for his service to the community and to Kiwanis. He also served as a member and Secretary of the Board of Managers of Y.M.C.A. - Camp Eberhart and served as President and Director of the Legal Services Program of Northern Indiana, Inc. In addition he also served as a judge of student competitions at the Notre Dame Law School and did volunteer work for R.E.A.L. Services, Inc. and Memorial Hospital in South Bend. John's professional memberships include Indiana, St. Joseph County and American Bar Associations, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and Defense Research Institute and was a former member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. Visitation for John's family and friends will be from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, June 6, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St. South Bend. It was John's wish that a private memorial service be held for family. Memorial contributions be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at welshfh@yahoo.com.