Obituary for John "Johnny" Popp
John “Johnny” Popp left this earth early on July 8, 2019. He was born January 22, 1938 in East Chicago, Indiana to John and Mary (Coltor) Popp. He married Mary Frances (Pagliero) Popp at St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington on August 22, 1970 and she survives. He graduated from Hammond’s Bishop Noll High School, and attended St. Joseph College, Renssalaer IN, and Indiana University. He graduated from IU with a bachelor’s degree in General Studies and did graduate work in adult education.
Johnny served in the US Army and US Army Reserve, retiring in 1993 after 21 years. He was activated during the Berlin Crisis. He was a member of American Legion Post #18 and a former member of the Veterans’ Honor Guard. Johnny enjoyed a career in laboratories and in manufacturing, serving from 1968-1993 as a Quality Control Process Control Engineer at General Electric (GE) in Bloomington and receiving a Management Award in 1993. Not one to grasp the concept of “retirement,” he became a Technical Representative in steel process for Anson Stamping Company, Louisville, KY, from 1994-1998, working with the GE plant, then ended his career from 1999-2003 as an Advanced Quality Engineer at GE (part-time).
A kind man with a ready smile, Johnny enjoyed talking to anyone and appreciated a good laugh. He loved to travel. He was most thrilled about the trip he and Mary took to Egypt in the 1980s, but also enjoyed a recent trip to Greece, Sicily and Pompeii, pilgrimages to Israel, Spain and Portugal, and trips to major cities of Europe. His trip to Eastern Europe included Romania where his grandparents grew up. He had a great time on cruises taken with his sister and brother-in-law. After retirement, he happily accompanied Mary each year to two American Library Association conferences around the US. He was a constant reader and loved eating in interesting restaurants, particularly Asian restaurants.
Johnny is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, sister Mary Jane Popp (Erick Sprunger), Sacramento, CA, son John (Elise) Ryder, Show Low, AZ, one granddaughter and two great grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Johnny donated his body to the Indiana University School of Medicine Anatomical Education Program hoping to provide a good learning experience to students. A Memorial Mass will be said at St. Paul Catholic Center at 1413 E. 17th Street, Bloomington, on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 10:00 am. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 - 10:00 am, before the funeral begins.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to St. Vincent House, the guest house for patients and families at the St. Vincent’s Hospital campus in Indianapolis. (Credit card donations may be given at https://give.stvincent.org/stvincenthouse ). Johnny and Mary lived there 6 weeks spring 2019 while he underwent radiation therapy for his benign brain tumor.
Johnny served in the US Army and US Army Reserve, retiring in 1993 after 21 years. He was activated during the Berlin Crisis. He was a member of American Legion Post #18 and a former member of the Veterans’ Honor Guard. Johnny enjoyed a career in laboratories and in manufacturing, serving from 1968-1993 as a Quality Control Process Control Engineer at General Electric (GE) in Bloomington and receiving a Management Award in 1993. Not one to grasp the concept of “retirement,” he became a Technical Representative in steel process for Anson Stamping Company, Louisville, KY, from 1994-1998, working with the GE plant, then ended his career from 1999-2003 as an Advanced Quality Engineer at GE (part-time).
A kind man with a ready smile, Johnny enjoyed talking to anyone and appreciated a good laugh. He loved to travel. He was most thrilled about the trip he and Mary took to Egypt in the 1980s, but also enjoyed a recent trip to Greece, Sicily and Pompeii, pilgrimages to Israel, Spain and Portugal, and trips to major cities of Europe. His trip to Eastern Europe included Romania where his grandparents grew up. He had a great time on cruises taken with his sister and brother-in-law. After retirement, he happily accompanied Mary each year to two American Library Association conferences around the US. He was a constant reader and loved eating in interesting restaurants, particularly Asian restaurants.
Johnny is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, sister Mary Jane Popp (Erick Sprunger), Sacramento, CA, son John (Elise) Ryder, Show Low, AZ, one granddaughter and two great grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Johnny donated his body to the Indiana University School of Medicine Anatomical Education Program hoping to provide a good learning experience to students. A Memorial Mass will be said at St. Paul Catholic Center at 1413 E. 17th Street, Bloomington, on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 10:00 am. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 - 10:00 am, before the funeral begins.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to St. Vincent House, the guest house for patients and families at the St. Vincent’s Hospital campus in Indianapolis. (Credit card donations may be given at https://give.stvincent.org/stvincenthouse ). Johnny and Mary lived there 6 weeks spring 2019 while he underwent radiation therapy for his benign brain tumor.