Dr. Bradley G. Showalter

Connersville native, Dr. Bradley Gene Showalter, 85, of San Antonio, Texas and formerly of Sun City Center, Florida and Beech Grove, Indiana died Sunday, September 30, 2018 at Bader House in San Antonio, Texas.

Brad was born July 3, 1933 to John and O. Pauline (Personette) Showalter. Gene, as he was known throughout his high school and college years, was one of four brothers: Bruce, Ralph and John, who preceded him in death.

Following graduation from Connersville High School in 1951 he attended and graduated from Ball Teacher’s College (Ball State University) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In 1956, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force and honorably served as a 1st Lieutenant at Dover Air Base until 1959. While on active duty Lieutenant Showalter impressively coached the Dover Air Base Softball team to the 1958 World Championship.

After the Air Force Bradley returned with his first wife, Janet (Brown) to Connersville, Indiana where he took a job as a principal, teacher and coach at Orange Elementary School. He then moved on to serve as Principal of Liberty Elementary School and subsequently completed a Master’s Degree in Education. In 1971 he earned his Doctorate of Education from Indiana University where he authored a dissertation on school finance.

Dr. Showalter continued his notable career in education as Assistant Superintendent of Jay County Schools. In 1973 he took the position as Superintendent of Beech Grove City Schools. Using his expertise in school finance, Dr. Showalter facilitated the procurement of a significant portion of the Amtrak-Beech Grove tax base to make improvements to the schools. His fervent lobbying at the local, state and national levels began the impressive legacy of Beech Grove Schools. Bradley retired from a dedicated career in education in 1999 and is the longest standing superintendent of the system to date.

After his retirement, Brad and his wife Karen enjoyed travel and visiting with their children and grandchildren in various locations throughout the country and world. They relocated to the community of Sun City Center, Florida where Brad enjoyed many hobbies. Always artistic throughout his life he took up painting and creating beautiful pictures out of fused glass. He continued his lifelong love of sports, especially basketball, by following various Indiana teams.

Bradley has left behind a proud and loving family. He is survived by his wife of thirty years, Karen (Gluff) Showalter of Sun City Center, Florida; his children, Karen’s children, and their spouses: Diana E. Hart (Russell) of Columbia, Illinois; Timothy J. Showalter of Beech Grove, Indiana; Joan Showalter of Greenwood, Indiana; Holly A. DiLeo (Roy) of San Antonio, Texas; Angi (Art) Cheeseman of Indianapolis, Indiana; Rick Johnson of Indianapolis, Indiana; Tammy Johnson of Nashville, Tennessee; Don (Elaine) Johnson of Niceville, Florida; nineteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren with another on the way and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2018 by Pastor Gwen Pew of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, Connersville at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville. Cremation will follow with inurnment at a later date in Dale Cemetery, section A. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2018. In lieu of flower, donations can be made to an endowment through the Beech Grove Education Foundation (http://www.bgedfoundation.org/). For additional information and features, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.