John Charles Emerick

2021. He was 77.

Surviving are his loving wife Elaine Emerick of almost 55 years; his children, Kimberly (Dr. Anthony) Lunato of

Zionsville, IN, Kathy (Dr. David) Moran of Fort Wayne, IN and Dr. Kevin (Corinne) Emerick of

Winchester, MA; his 11 grandchildren, Jansing and Jaelin Lunato, Gabrielle, Joseph, Emilienne,

Michael, Elizabeth, and Aniata Moran, and Aiden, Sofia, and Graham Emerick; his brothers,

Craig (Trudy) Emerick of Dallas, TX and Stephen (Debbie) Emerick of Dayton, OH; his brothersin-

law, James (Lynna) Kiracofe of Utica, OH and Michael (Stephanie) Kiracofe of Lima, OH; and 7

nieces and nephews. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Samuel and Mattie Lou (Craig)

Emerick and granddaughters, Chelsea, Isabelle, and Jessica Moran.

He graduated from Richmond High School, Manchester College (BA), St Francis University (MA),

and Ball State (principal’s endorsement).

He was a longtime member of New Haven United Methodist Church where he served on many

committees, and boards and a more recent member of Covenant United Methodist Church.

John had a meaningful and enjoyable career in East Allen County Schools where he taught fifth

grade for 8 years at Village and Highland Terrace Elementary schools and served as a principal

for a collective 34 years at Woodburn Elementary, Leo Elementary, and Cedarville Elementary.

He especially enjoyed his time working with students, greeting the buses, reading to children,

and having pizza parties as a reward with his Principal Pals. He was honored as District 3’s

Principal of the Year.

After retiring he volunteered as a driver for the Cancer Center and for the Red Cross, and was a

greeter at Parkview Hospital; but his favorite retirement activity was being a guest reader at St.

Vincent de Paul for a few of his grandchildren and their classes.

John’s greatest joy in life was family. For his children, he was their biggest fan in any and every

activity. For his grandchildren – no one cheered louder or with more heart. Every grandchild

knew when their Papa was on the sidelines and played all the harder because he was there. He

was also a lifelong fan of the Indianapolis Colts, Fort Wayne Komets, and IU basketball. John

also was an avid tennis player, enjoyed traveling, relaxed by fishing and working in the yard.

Supporting Habitat for Humanity was especially important to him.

John/Dad/Daddy/Papa/Pops/Big John will be remembered by many as a kind and gentle man

who loved people and God above all else… and even better if it involved ice cream!

“Make it a great day!” – John C. Emerick, always.

Visitation will be on June 24th, 2021 from 3:00pm to 7:00 pm at D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Home-Pine Valley. Funeral service will be on June 25th, 2021 at 11:00 am at Covenant United Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Turnstone.

https://turnstone.org/donate/