John H. Kidder

John H. Kidder, 86, of Walkerton, passed away in Memorial Hospital of South Bend, on August 22^nd, after a brief illness.

          John was born in South Bend, Indiana on September 23, 1933 to Alvin and Beatrice (Klockow) Kidder. John served his country proudly in the US Army (as  a White Coat) and was a member of American Legion Post #365 of North Liberty. He retired from Belle Way Trucking, at age 81, after 64 total years as an over the road trucker. On May 1, 1954, in South Bend, he married the love of his life, Norma C. Ruff. They were members of the First Seventh-day Adventist Church of South Bend. John enjoyed camping, fishing and riding his motorized bicycle, yet his greatest joy was being in the company of his wife (the love of his life), family and friends.

          John is survived by his loving wife, Norma, along with their two daughters; Cindy (Kevin) Helgesen of Ft. Wayne, and Chari L. (Peter) Krafft of Warsaw, Indiana. He was the proud grandfather of Lisa (Brandon) Kope and Carrie Lynn (Tyler) Shea, both of Ft. Wayne. John was also the great grandfather of five; Mason, Treyson, Leigha, Jonathan and Jaxon. He was preceded in death by his parents.

          Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, August 27^th from 4 until 8:00pm, in the Hanley and Sons Funeral Home “Walkerton Chapel”, 1216 Roosevelt Rd., Walkerton. Visitation will require visitors to follow current health guidelines. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 11:00am on Friday, August 28^th with Pastor Throstur Thordarson. John will be laid to rest in the Westlawn Cemetery in North Liberty, with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 365 burial team. Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to either his church, South Bend First Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1936 E. Altgeld St., South Bend, IN 46614, or to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.

          Hanley and Sons wish to express their deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the entire Kidder family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John H. Kidder, please visit our floral store.