John M. Cook, 82, of Bluffton, passed away Wednesday evening, Oct. 10, 2018, at Canterbury Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

John was born in Wells County on June 23, 1936, to Maurice E. and Mabel I. (Dubach) Cook.  After his mother's death, at the age of five John was taken in and raised by his aunt and uncle, Sam and Elma (Dubach) Kaehr.  John married Dianne K. Nusbaum in Bluffton on Apr. 1, 1995; she survives.

A 1954 graduate of Berne French Township High School, John served in the United States Army from 1955 until 1957 during the Korean War.  He worked at Franklin Electric in the cost accounting division for 14 years.  He then retired from McCoy Bolt in Ft. Wayne as head of heat-treat operations after 14 years of service.

John attended Life Community Church in Bluffton and was an active member at the Grover Sheets American Legion Post 111.  He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and also enjoyed reading, and was a history "buff", especially when it came to WWII.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by four daughters, Monica Bryan of Findlay, OH, Stacey (Gary) Fiechter of Monroe, Amy-Jo Cook of Berne, and Angela (Ryan Stiffler) Conner of Ft. Wayne; four sons, John (Alyce) Cook of Indianapolis, Andrew Cook of Carmel, Donald (Amanda) Conner of Bluffton, and Deke (Lisa) Conner of Ft. Wayne; 24 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren (and one on the way); and two sisters, Annie Baumgartner and Bonnie Gerber, both of Bluffton.

In addition to his parents and aunt and uncle, John was preceded in death by four brothers, Phil, Chad, Bud, and Robert Kaehr; and a sister, Beulah Clark.

A funeral service to celebrate John's life will be Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, at 2:00 PM, at Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel, with one hour of visitation prior to the service.  Burial will follow at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery with military graveside rites provided by the American Legion Post 111, Taps played by his grandson Jayce Conner, in conjunction with the United States Army Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Friends of the Shelter, or the American Legion Post 111 of Bluffton.