John Philip Foley

Dr. John Philip Foley died November 2, 2026, from advanced bile duct cancer surrounded by his family at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana. Born in Paris, Illinois, he was the son of Thomas A. and Rosemary D. Foley. He was the fourth of five siblings, Camille Foley (deceased), Jessica Yaron, Daniel A. Foley, and Amy Foley. He was married to Diana Kay Teets Foley for nearly 41 years and she preceded him in death. They had no children. He was the uncle to John E. Hopper, Jr. (deceased), Charles P. Hopper, Christina (Yaron) Grimes, Rose Bayliff and Philip Bayliff. He was the great-uncle of Jane Hopper, Parker Grimes and Avery Grimes.

John was born and raised in Paris, Illinois. A 1975 graduate of Paris High School, he followed his love of music earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Therapy and Psychology from Illinois State University, a Master of Science Degree in Music Therapy from Radford University and a PhD in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Delaware.

For most of his professional career he practiced music therapy, mainly with adults with mental health disorders. He retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia with 23 years of federal service. At his retirement he was a Health Systems Specialist and he ran the Family Psychotherapy program. In addition to his clinical work in mental health, he was an active member of the American Music Therapy Association and served in a variety of membership roles including conference planning, presenting at regional and national conferences and committee participation. John began his music therapy practice at Central State Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana followed by work at Western State Hospital in Staunton, Virgina. He then joined the VA Medical Center at Perry Point, Maryland before moving to the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. Work life led him to live in a number of places. They primarily lived along the East Coast including Charlottesville, Virginia, Staunton, Virginia, North East, Maryland, Martinsburg, West Virginia and he moved back to Indianapolis, Indiana, after retirement.

He was an active member of several Unitarian Universalist churches in Delaware, Maryland and Indianapolis. John continued involvement in local community choruses, including time as director for Olivet Presbyterian Church Staunton, Virginia and the Harford County, Maryland Barbershop Chorus. He was especially proud of his membership in the Shepherd University Masterworks Chorale while living in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Other interests included gardening, playing golf—being the VA golf champion with his friend Richard for five years running, rescuing and adopting multiple cats over the years and spending time with his wife, Diana. Both looked forward to their Friday date nights as they explored a variety of restaurants around their chosen communities.

Both John and Diana were able to complete doctoral degrees as part of their ongoing personal and professional development. This provided them with opportunities to serve students and clients in their work life. John noted earning his doctoral degree as one of the things he was most proud of accomplishing in life. John served as adjunct faculty at Hagerstown Community College, Hagerstown, Maryland, the University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware and Delaware Technical and Community College, Stanton, Delaware.

Visitation will be at Leppert Mortuaries – Nora, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260, on Sunday, November 22, 2026 from 1pm – 3pm with the service immediately following at 3pm.

John and Diana’s remains will be mingled for reunion in the perpetual afterlife and spread in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Winchester, Virginia and Paris, Illinois at a later date.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Music Therapy Association or Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.