John S. Appel, age 80, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. John was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Martha Ann Appel and John C. Appel. John had two brothers, Fred Appel, who is deceased, and Steve Appel. John married his wife Linda Long Appel in 1982. He is survived by his wife, Linda Long Appel, his daughter, Carey Vincent (Larry), and his son Christopher J. Appel. John had four grandchildren: Emma Vincent, Lucy Vincent; and Sophia Appel and Rosie Appel. John is also survived by his brother, Steve Appel (Claudia) and their children, Alessandra Appel and Lucas Appel.
Growing up in Indianapolis, John attended the Orchard School, a school that was founded by his beloved grandmother (Mary Carey Appel). John attended high school at The Judson School in Scottsdale, Arizona. John’s early love of horses was only enhanced when he moved out west for high school.
After graduating from Judson and participating on the rodeo team, John attended Colorado State University and Sul-Ross State University, where he was a proud member of the rodeo team. John's love of the rodeo and horses motivated him to try to make it on the professional rodeo circuit in his early twenties. John competed in events across the U.S. with his late brother, Fred Appel, focusing on bull-riding and horse-back riding.
After John’s rodeo dreams came to an end, John served in the national guard for 10 years and went to work in the insurance industry in insurance sales with Gregory & Appel Insurance. Next, John fulfilled his lifelong dream to own his own bar and restaurant, the Living Room Lounge.
John and his father, Jack C. Appel, had a passion for boxing and were board members of the Indianapolis Golden Gloves. John also went on to promote local boxers in Indianapolis, Indiana. John had fond memories of those days and loved to tell stories about local boxers who became professionals, such as Marvin Johnson and Norman Goins.
John or “D” as he was commonly referred to by his children and their friends, was known for his humor, kindness, and loving heart. There was never a prank or practical joke that John would not plan or partake in to entertain his kids and family. John loved cooking, restaurants, fishing, country music, and most of all his family.
As an avid fisherman, he grew up fishing in Leland, Michigan, and later discovered all of the good spots at Lake Wawasee. He fished for snook and barracuda in Central America and the Florida Keys. However, as he aged, he focused more on his fresh caught, cleaned and cooked fish at Lake Wawasee. His special recipe was a point of pride and always a delight to his wife’s siblings, nieces, nephews and mother-in-law on the Long side of the family. He later loved watching and helping his oldest grandchildren, Sophia Appel, Rosie Appel and Emma Vincent catch their first bass.
John was a very sensitive and humorous man. He loved his kids and grandchildren and his extended family. He enjoyed going out to restaurants, horse racing, music, and lots of laughs. Above all, John wanted everyone to enjoy life, have a good time and a cheerful heart.
A celebration of life for John will be held Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Northside Events and Social Club, 2100 E. 71st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to The Orchard School, 615 W. 64th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260 US, https://www.orchard.org/support/support-orchard; and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 US, https://give.childrensmuseum
