John C. Kennedy

John C. Kennedy, age 82, of Huntington, IN, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at his daughter's residence from heart and lung complications that persisted for many years. He is survived by his daughter Christine Anne La Mar (Greg), son Patrick Michael Kennedy (Stephanie Schell), and three granddaughters: Emma Claire and Erica Paige La Mar, and Lauren Elizabeth Kennedy all of Indianapolis. He has a brother David Lee Kennedy of Huntington who survives. He was married to Nancy Jill (Hubner) Kennedy (who survives) on December 9, 1967, while a college student at Ball State. He was the son of Paul E. and Dorothy M. (Bell) Kennedy of Huntington who proceeded him in death. A sister Barbara Ann Kennedy died shortly after birth. John was a 1960 graduate of Huntington Catholic High School and received his bachelor's degree from Ball State University in 1971. He earned a master's degree from Indiana University Fort Wayne, Liberal Studies (MLS) in 2000 and (MA) in English in 2010. He was a part time Adjunct Professor of English at Manchester University teaching freshman writing from 2010-15. He was a lifelong member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and National Omicron-Psi Honor Society. John was the owner of Kennedy Realtors in Huntington from 1974 through 1981, then operated Kennedy Appraisals until his retirement in 2017. He was a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and Licensed Indiana Broker and held the professional designations GRI, CRS, CRB, SCPA, and IFA. He previously served as President of the Huntington County Board of Realtors and was a former Realtor of the year. John was a US Navy Corpsman serving with the Marine Corps as a field medical Corpsman with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, Fleet Marine Forces, Pacific, from 1961-65. He was a former city councilman from 1976-80 and served as President, chairman of the ordinance committee, and wage negotiations during his tenure. He served on the Board of Directors of Parkview Advisory Board, Association of Homes, Salvation Army, and held membership in the Huntington Jaycees, Kiwanis, Elks, and Cosmopolitan Club. He currently held membership in the American Legion Post 160 in Roanoke and was an active member of the Fort Wayne Corvette Club. He was honored as recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the Jaycees for his community service in 1976. John was an accomplished golfer, amateur photographer, avid reader and writer, and enjoyed working on his 37-acre property adjacent to Norwood Golf Course. He authored The History of Beta Gamma Nu Fraternity at Ball State, and was actively writing his military memoirs entitled, Navy Recruit, prior to his demise. Calling hours will be conducted at McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Additional calling hours will be one hour prior to Mass from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 903 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, with Fr. Tony Steinacker presiding. Burial with Military rites will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Huntington, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Indiana Covered Bridge Society in care of McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, 46750. McElhaney Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, 46750, is honored to serve the Kennedy Family. Online condolences to www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John C. Kennedy, please visit our floral store.