John Ralph Reed, 79, Kingsford Heights, Indiana, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 9:57 pm in Franciscan Health - Michigan City, Michigan City, Indiana.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30 pm, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, Indiana, with Pastor Dan Speckhard officiating. Visitation hours will be on Wednesday from 1:30 pm until the time of the service in the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel.
He was born June 22, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late John Raymond and Lavone (Kraft) Reed. On April 3, 1971, in Michigan City, Indiana, he married Gloria J. Allen, who preceded him in death on January 7, 2025.
Surviving are daughter, Robin (Roger) Vargo of Kingsford Heights, Indiana; son, Joel (Emily Krause) Reed of La Paz, Indiana; grandchildren, Bradley Reed, Austin Gabric, Holly Vargo, Casey Vargo, James Krause, and Ruth Reed; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Jasmine, Nathan, Jordan, Phoenix, Alison, Quincy, Donny, Angela, Joslin, Remiel, and Marnie; sister-in-law, Patricia Young along with his beloved nieces and nephews.
John attended Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Knox, Indiana. He played the trumpet in his high school band and enjoyed playing the trumpet for many church holiday services. He retired as editor of the former Knox Leader & Review newspaper, where he was an award-winning editor and reporter. John was the former curator for the Michigan City Lighthouse Museum. He was interested in ship wrecks on Lake Michigan and also gave many lectures regarding Lake Michigan Lighthouses. Along with his other activities, he enjoyed gardening.
To sign a guest book and leave condolences online, visit our website at
www.otthaverstock.com.
