John Edward Townsend Sr.

Townsend, John Edward, Sr., age 95 of Dayton, OH passed away on June 20, 2020. Preceded in death by his wife Margaret JoAnn in 2017; parents Gladys (Rutledge) and William Townsend; sisters Wilma Jean Townsend and Frances Armstrong; stepsister Elizabeth Jean Straughan; and brothers Robert and Roger Townsend. He is survived by his sons John E. Townsend (Sondra) and Timothy W. Townsend (Joy); brother Dennis Townsend; and five grandchildren: Christopher, Nicholas, Alexander, Michelle, and Rebecca.

“Ed” Townsend grew from the severe economic conditions of the Great Depression era in rural West Virginia to enlist in the US Army Air Corps during WW II and become the pilot and commander of a B-17 crew before he was 20 years old. Following the war, he continued as a flight instructor; a professor of avionics at Purdue University, Auburn University, and Indiana State University; a self-employed service contractor; and served as lay worker and ordained minister in several churches in the Terre Haute, Indiana area before retiring in Dayton with his beloved wife of 55 years, JoAnn.

The Funeral Service will take place at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Moraine Heights Baptist Church, 5661 Munger Road. Friends may visit at the church from 11am until the time of service Wednesday. Burial in Miami Valley Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family will be grateful and blessed by your gift to support the mission of Honor Flight Dayton (http://honorflightdayton.org/) or ministry of Moraine Heights Baptist Church (https://www.moraineheights.org/).