John E. Morton

John Edward Morton, 96, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at his home in Auburn, Indiana. He was born in Boone County, Indiana on January 2, 1929, one of nine children to the late William Andrew and Carrie Brigham (Wiley) Morton. On March 28, 1952, he was united in marriage to Grace Kathryn (Gibbs) Morton, in Elizaville, Indiana. She preceded him in death on September 22, 2005, after sharing 53 loving years together. John was a 1947 graduate of Kirklin High School. He participated in sports as the demands of farm chores permitted. He was proud of his role in the senior play. John served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1951 to 1954. He was wounded in combat in Korea. Both his survival and recovery include multiple miracles. His awards of the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and Presidential Unit Citation were of particular significance from his military service. Upon his return from military service, John was self-employed until retirement as a farmer in Boone County. He loved the land and his agricultural heritage. Having been raised during the Great Depression, John developed a love for the reliability and efficiency of modern equipment. He was skillful with tools. When equipment broke, neighboring farmers would bring it by for welding. He built several of his own farm buildings and additions to his home. John was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lebanon. He had formerly been a member of Salem (Mud Creek) United Presbyterian Church. He was very active in both congregations, serving as an elder and on various boards and committees. He served as the congregation’s construction liaison for a major restoration/renovation of First Presbyterian. He also served as construction liaison for a major restoration/renovation of the Carnegie Library in Lebanon. In 2007, following the death of Grace in 2005, he moved to the Auburn area to be closer to family. John enjoyed traveling, sports, gardening, creating things with his hands and hunting, and in his youth, motorcycles and ice skating. Stemming from his hands-on experiences he always loved horses, especially work horses, and antique tractors. He had a strong interest in his family’s history and genealogy. He shared his family’s love of all ice cream, and especially home-made ice cream. He had many life-long friendships. John was a loving and involved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle who will be greatly missed. He rarely missed a family event or gathering. He took especially great pleasure in the annual 4th of July reunions that had continued uninterrupted in his extended family for generations. Above all, John loved God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He understood that God alone was the Lord of his conscience and Jesus was his Savior. John would hope and pray that all who read this obituary will have the peace and rest he is enjoying now! Survivors include two sons and their spouses, Ramon E. and Darcy K. Morton of Huntertown, IN, and Warren J. and Irene S. Morton of Loveland, CO; five grandchildren, Shannon (Brandon) Greenwood of Yucca Valley, CA, William (Amanda) Morton of Frederick, CO, Andrew (Mary) Morton of Ossian, IN, John (Karin) Morton of Knoxville, TN, and Laura (Ken) Smith of Holland, MI; twelve great grandchildren, Brooklynn Chamberlain, Hunter Henschke, Jadyn Greenwood, Nikai Morton, Mikah Morton, Matthias Morton, Peter Morton, Cornelius Morton, Leah Morton, Maddyx Morton, Hazel Morton and Jay Morton; a great-great grandson on the way, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by an infant son, Harold Andrew Morton; and siblings: S. Doris (Irvin) Bryan, Esther L. Morton, Hugh V. (Jeanice) Morton, Leah M. (Jack) Teed, Edna G. (Harold) Frizzell, Julia M. (Emmett) Curts, Mabel L. (Francis) Murphy, and Lois E. (Orville) Himes. Visitation is planned for Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana. Funeral Services with Military Rites will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 128 East Main Street, in Lebanon, at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 18, 2025, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow services at Mud Creek Cemetery near Elizaville, Indiana. Services will be officiated by Pastors Je M. Lee and Andrew T. Morton. The funeral service will be live steamed at https://youtube.com/live/e1K2iNVnaRA?feature=share Memorials may be directed in his memory to First Presbyterian Church, the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission or Wheeler Mission (Indianapolis).

John E. Morton

January 2, 1929 - January 11, 2025