John A. Small, passed away, Friday April 21 at 11 am (CST).  He passed quietly in his bed at Signature Healthcare in Lafayette, Indiana. 

Some knew him by Ewee – most called him John; a few of us called him Dad.  Dad lived what I consider a couple different lives – one was a normal ascent, and one was more complicated. 

He was born on December 13, 1942 to Walter and Ruth Small, of Kentland, Indiana.  He went to high school at Kentland High School, and then college to Hanover University – where he became a chemist, but from what I gather, mostly had a lot of fun with his fraternity brothers and friends – he was a Phi Gamma Delta.

  Dad went back home to work at his family businesses, but mostly Small Oil Company with his father and brother, Harold.  He married Martha Franklin and had three children, Allison (grandchild: Ethan), Derek (grandchildren: Madison, Luke, Elle), and Jonathan (grandchildren: Lina and Ella).  He became a pilot, and literally and figuratively covered a lot of ground over a short early part of his life. 

His second marriage was to Joyce Bower, and is survived by his step son, Adam.  The second half of his life was less glorious, but I can say that dad really did endeavor to maintain his positive persona into that second half; it just was not meant to be.  We are thankful for the time we had with him and know that he cared deeply for his family and the many friends he had throughout his life.  An additional obituary with more information will be posted to the funeral website.

Services will be Monday April 24, 2017, 5-8pm (CST) at Stitz-Clapper Funeral Home of Kentland, and funeral service Tuesday April 25, 2017 at 11 am (CST) also at Stitz-Clapper Funeral Home of Kentland. 

If anyone would like to donate to a charity in his name, please consider NAMI – the National Alliance of Mental Illness. 

Share memories and condolences online at www.clapperfuneralservices.com