Jack V. Early

Jack V. Early, 83, died Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at St. Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis, IN following an extended illness. Jack was born October 5, 1928 in Logansport, Indiana to Victor and Flossie Early. He graduated from Metea High School in 1946, where he excelled in sports as part of the first "Fab Five" basketball team. He attended College at The South Bend College of Commerce graduating in 1948, he later also attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison. It was at South Bend College of Commerce where he met his sweet wife, Miriam Lou Scott, they were married July 10,1948. It was to this loving union that five children were born; Susan Kay, Ellen Kay, Kent Scott, Donna Jean and Victor Allen. In his early years, Jack enjoyed riding horses, helping on the family farm and being part of The Metea Minstrel Group where he was a soloist at age 12. In 1948 Jack found his love of banking when he first joined the First Bank & Trust Company in South Bend, Indiana starting as a trainee and progressed to manager in 1951. Jack was drafted to the U.S. Army in 1952 during the Korean War and served as Personnel Management Specialist. After serving in the Army, in 1954 he joined the National Bank & Trust of South Bend as an assistant Branch Manager and later Chief Operations Officer where he remained until 1967 when he resigned to become President of Franklin Bank & Trust Company in Franklin, IN. He not only took pride in his business, but also truly relished the friends he made during his time in business. Over the years, his banking expertise and reputation led him to be named CEO and CFO over several other banks in the area. He is a current member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was past board member of the Franklin United Methodist Home and head of their community fund. He was also a member of the local Franklin Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine, and Kiwanis Club. He was Director of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce where he was instrumental in developing the Franklin Industrial Park and helped attract industries to locate there and in 1980 he was awarded the Franklin Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award for being an outstanding citizen. He was named to Franklin College Board of Trustees; he also served as Trustee for Franklin Educational Foundation and was chairman for the fundraising campaign for relocating and renovating the railroad. Jack and Miriam were members of Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin. Jack was the rock of his family. He was the ever present strength to his wife, children and grandchildren. From football games to Irish Dance Competitions to Swim Meets to Marching Band; he was there encouraging and supporting. An avid golfer, he was a member of Hillview Country Club, Valle Vista Country Club and a charter member of The Legends of Indiana. Jack was also an avid pilot, he got his license 1976 having logged over 1500 hours in 10 years, of the 4 planes he owns, his last plane the Bonanza was his favorite. Those left to cherish his loving memory include; four of his children; Ellen Andrew of Decatur, Alabama; Kent Early of Sarasota, Florida; Donna (Sean) Fleck of Carmel, Indiana and Victor (Debra) Early of Alameda, California as well as his brother Duane (Jeanne) Early of Grand Rapids, Michigan and 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren as well as a host of friends. All will miss his loving presence in their lives. He was preceded in death by his daughter Susan and his dear wife Miriam. A funeral service will be held on Saturday September 22, 2012 at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Good shepherd Chapel, Indianapolis, IN. Viewing is at 3 PM and the funeral service will be at 4 PM.