Rev. John E. Catchem

Rev. John E. Catchem, 89, died March 8, 2018, at 5:15 p.m.

Born July 10, 1928, in Woodstock, Kentucky, he was the son of the late James and Sally (Abott) Denney Catchem. 

He was a Korean War veteran and became a pastor after the war. He started his ministry at the First Church of God in Linton. He pastored other Indiana churches, including in Washington County, then returned to Linton First Church of God in 1967, remaining pastor until 1984.

He was active in the Linton community, serving in the Ministerial Association and president of the United Way. He worked with World Hunger Drives and was named Linton’s Outstanding Citizen of the Community in 1976.

He married his wife, Janice, in 1959, and she preceded him in death. A sister, Nancy Turner, also preceded him in death.

Survivors include daughters Jennifer (Robert) Ringo, Linton, and Jana (Todd) Cooksey of Lyons; five grandchildren; siblings James Denney, Dorothy Hindman, Rosemary Denney, Georgia Schermer and Dori Ruckel; and sister-in-law, Sharon Knoll.

Funeral services were held March 12 at Linton First Church of God with Rev. Kendall Hendrickson and Rev. Bill Berry officiating. Burial, with military honors, followed in Fairview Cemetery.

Memorials: Children of Promise, Hope Hill Children’s Home or Equine Center, through Welch & Cornett Funeral Home.