John Theodore Grable, 88, of Columbia City, died peacefully at 5:12 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2024, at The Waters, Columbia City, where he had been a resident since May.

He was born July 9, 1936, in Thorncreek Twp., Whitley County, the son of the late Reverend Paul Grable and Effie (Surfus) Grable.  He graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1954.

He began his career at the former Zollner Piston in Fort Wayne, working in the quality control department. He was a proud member of the Fort Wayne UAW and served as its Chaplain. He retired in 1997.

On April 26, 1980, he married Gail Cox.  They made their home in Albion.  Gail died on July 7, 2000.  He then married Flossie Baron in 2004.  The couple moved to Columbia City in 2014.  She survives.

He was a member of the Big Lake Church of God.  At home, he enjoyed gardening, writing, and reading a book of interest.  He liked to fish and spend quality time with his family.

He leaves behind his wife, Flossie; children, Lee (Carol) Grable of Fort Wayne, Timothy (MiYong) Grable of Columbia City, Steve (Jennifer) Grable of Tri-Lakes, and June James of Auburn; step-children, William (Kim) McKenzie of North Manchester, Donna Medley of Liberty Mills, Norma Jean (Larry) Barker of North Manchester, Kathy (Michael) Nunemaker of Huntington, and Cindy Howard of Indiana; many grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; and sisters, Julia Holbrook of Warsaw and Nora Gray of Columbia City.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Jill Denney, a brother, Roger Grable, and granddaughters, Heather Medley and Autumn Grable.

Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the funeral service at 3 p.m. on Tuesday (August 13th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Burial is at the Thorn Cemetery at Ormas

Memorials in John's honor are to the Big Lake Church of God.