John Otho Reed

Dr. John Otho Reed of Indianapolis, Indiana departed this life the 21st day of July, 2011. He was born November 21, 1924. John was raised in Lima, Ohio and married Marcene L. Blodgett of Lima on December 24, 1946. Married 57 years, they were childhood sweethearts. John played in the Ohio Class A Boys Basketball High School Tournament of 1943. He was named on the All-Tournament Team that was made up of teams from Newark, Martinsferry, Canton-McKinley and Lima Central teams of Ohio. John entered the service after graduating from Lima Central High School in Lima, Ohio. He entered the service at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis in 1943. He served in the European Theater under General Patton’s 3rd Army, a member of the 26th Yankee Division out of Massachusetts. John served in four major battles; France, Germany, Battle of the Bulge, and Belgium. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in the field of infantry in the 26th Division. The 26th Division received commendation from General DeGaul. John became a high school administrator in Union City as Principal/Coach, 1949-1951 and principal at Adams Central High School, 1951-1956. He was high school principal at Rochester, Indiana 1956-1959; principal at Richmond Sr. High School 1959-1965 and principal at Warren Central High School 1965-1974. John then became Assistant Superintendent at Decatur Township 1974-1975 and Assistant Director of Placement at Ball State University from 1975 until he retired in 1986. John received his Doctorate from Ball State University in 1971. He served on the Ball State Alumni Council for 17 years. He taught graduate classes at Butler, IUPUI, and BSU. John was a past President of the Ball State University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa as well as the Indiana Secondary Principals Association. He was granted Emeritus standing and received the Venny Award upon retiring from Ball State University. He was preceded by his parents Helen (Latham), J. McLean Reed and his wife Marcene L. Reed. He was survived by his daughter, Linda Diane Bowman, son Dr. J. McLean Reed, daughter-in-law Dr. D. Lynn (Lyle) Reed, six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. A graveside service will be held at the Memorial Park Cemetery, 9350 E. Washington Street on Monday, July 25th, 2011 at 11:00 AM by Pastor Jerry Rairdon from the Old Bethel United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Indianapolis Meals-on-Wheels, P.O. Box 40969, Indianapolis, IN 46240-0969 or the Wheeler Mission Ministries (www.wmm.org). Flanner and Buchanan at Memorial Park Cemetery entrusted with arrangements, 317-898-4462.