COLUMBUS, INDIANA
The spirit of John Charles Williams of Columbus, 85, is now with his God and heavenly family of saints. He was released from this body May 11, 2022, at 10:48 a.m. due to natural causes, with his family and loving caregivers at his side.
John was born December 12, 1936 on his mother’s birthday. He was the third of four children born to David Emmanuel and Margaret Brickley Williams of McKees Rocks (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania.
Upon completing a Master’s Degree in Engineering from Penn State University, he and Audrey Jersun, also a Penn State grad, were married on June 13, 1959 in McKees Rocks, PA. Shortly after they moved to Columbus, Indiana, where John then began his life-long career at Cummins Engine Company and where Audrey was an elementary school teacher. John and Audrey met in high school through a good friend of Audrey’s.
The couple’s young life together blossomed in Columbus, where along with running an interior decorating store, they raised three loving children who, in turn, gave them eight beautiful grandchildren. John was a Cubmaster as well as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Boy Scout Troop 557 and enjoyed hiking, jogging, tennis, and pitching on church and recreational softball teams. The two were active members at First Christian Church and taught Bible school.
John retired from Cummins in 1989 and was rehired to do consulting work for electronic control modules on Cummins diesel engines. During this time he and Audrey shared many passions: scouring antique shops for Ohio pottery, gardening, membership in the Antique Club and Bartholomew County Historical Society, and being grandparents.
John is preceded in death by siblings, Peggy, David, and Bob. Surviving is his wife of 62 years, Audrey; children, John Christopher (Cheryl) Williams, David (Rachel) Williams, and Jennifer Vedadi (Jason Moore); grandchildren, Anna, Skyler, and John Williams, Seth Williams, and Darian, Keyahn, Kharren, and Armahn Vedadi.
The funeral service will be conducted by Rev. Rebecca Migliore, John’s niece, at noon on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Barkes, Weaver and Glick Funeral Home located at 1029 Washington Street, Columbus IN, 47201. Internment will follow at Garland Brook Mausoleum. Calling will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home to the Bartholomew County Historical Society.
You are invited to share a memory of John online and view a video tribute at www.barkesweaverglick.com.
