John Isaac Hartsock

John Isaac Hartsock, 95 of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on April 28, 2026.  The following is an obituary written by his loving family.

Heaven ushered in a hero of the faith as John was welcomed home.  John was born in Unionville, Indiana on December 27, 1930, to the late John and Elsie (June) Hartsock.  He was living on his own and driving short distances until three weeks before his death.

John was married to Helen Gwin on October 9, 1954.  After 64 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on February 21, 2019.  They are together again eternally.  John and Helen raised three beautiful daughters:  Faith, Hope, and Joy.

John enlisted in the US Army Air, stationed in Anchorage, Alaska.  The Korean War conflict broke out during his enlistment.  His unit trained with the possibility of being deployed to Korea.  

Before he completed his commitment, he was with the U.S. Air Force, established in September 1947.  He loved telling the story, he went to bed one night wearing U.S. Army greens and the next day he was wearing U.S. Air Force blues.  In April 2018, he was on the Indy Honor Flight.  

John was a member of the Brownsburg Church of Christ.  He loved preaching sermons, teaching Bible classes, and leading song services.  He graduated from Brownsburg High School.  His personality made him a great salesman selling chemicals, traveling throughout the state of Indiana.  He and Helen were active members of the Indiana Republican Party as committee chairs and State Delegates.

John loved reading his Bible daily, working the daily crossword puzzles with his sister, Mabel, and visiting with friends and family...especially his grandchildren, working puzzles and playing Sorry! and Trouble with his twin great-granddaughters, Zella and Zoey.  He shared his love of airplanes and trains with his grandchildren, Josh and Susan, sitting at the Weir Cook Airport and Avon Yards.  They looked forward to heading out on adventures with their PopPop.  He was an avid sports fan watching the Colts, Pacers, Fever, golf tournaments, and auto racing, especially the Indy 500.  He was the most vocal armchair coach!  Always following each game he'd have post-game critiquing with his son-in-law, Tim.  He shared interest in western movies and author Louis L'Amour with his son-in-law, Mike, who was his escort for Indy Honor Flight.  

He is survived by his sister, Mabel Bayliff, and brother, Richard Hartsock; his daughters, Faith (Mike) Toole, Hope (Fred) Thompson, Joy (Tim) Watson; his grandchildren, Joshua Wells, Susan (Joey) Parr, Colton Watson, Brooke (Stephen) Bradley, Raini Watson, and AnnaBeth Thompson; his great-grandchildren, Emma, Jaden, Jaxen, Logan and Vivian Wells and Zella, Zoey, and Zayden Bradley; his nieces and nephews, Alan Harman, Debbie Graham, Nancy Harman, Steve Hartsock, David Hartsock, Bobby Hartsock, and Jenni Miles; plus his "adopted" grandchildren, Luke and Hanna Meier and their daughter, Emelia. 

John was also preceded in death by his sister, Enid Rebecca Hartsock; his granddaughters, Tiffani and Melani Watson; his brother-in-law, Quentin Gwin, Jr. and Quentin's wife, Gertrude; his brother-in-law, Donald Bayliff; his sister-in-law, Betty Hartsock; and his sister, Christina Harman. 

Friends and family will gather on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home in Pittsboro, Indiana, for visitation from 3 pm to 5 pm, with the funeral service honoring John's life beginning at 5 pm, with military honors. 

All are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue to the service.

John will be laid to rest Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Marion National Cemetery alongside his beloved wife, Helen, in a private family graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project in loving memory of John.

All are encouraged to keep John's family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of loss.