John W. Emkes of Morgantown, Indiana passed away on May 21, 2023 as the result of a single vehicle accident. John, age 59, was born on August 1,1963 to Bernard and Orpha Emkes in Seymour, Indiana.  He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Seymour.  John was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Morgantown, Indiana.

John graduated from Seymour High School with the Class of 1981, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He earned an education degree from Ball State University and taught math and chemistry at Decatur Central and Oak Hill High Schools.  He also coached basketball at Oak Hill.  He served as the Director of Technology at Brown County Schools until his retirement in 2016.

John had a strong faith which was a direct result of the influence of both parents and in particular his mother who he adored. He inherited his love of gardening from his father and loved to be outdoors at his cabin in Brown County. His favorite activity was spending time with his daughter, Anna, helping her with her homework or enjoying a trip to Kovener’s Korner in Seymour.  They spent time playing basketball and ping pong, playing and listening to music, and cooking together.

Besides his surviving daughter Anna, other survivors include his mother, Orpha Emkes, and seven siblings: Bernie (Marta) Emkes, Joan (Bill) Whitaker, Mark (Conchi) Emkes, Sandy (Mike) Burroughs, Michael (Cindy) Emkes, Jane (Paul Schlesinger) Emkes, and Jana (Scott) Gray as well as many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Bernard Emkes.

Visitation will take place from 12-3PM, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Voss & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, 316 N. Chestnut Street. A funeral service will follow at 3PM. He will be laid to rest at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Seymour.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be payable to Anna M. Emkes (memo line “Education Fund 9513”) c/o Fifth Third Bank, P.O. Box 1067, Nashville, IN 47448; Zion Lutheran School, 1501 Gaiser Drive, Seymour, IN 47274; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 5802 N. Old Settlers Road, Morgantown, IN 46160; or the donor’s favorite charity.

You are invited to read John’s online obituary at www.vossfuneralservice.com, where you may sign the online register book or leave a condolence for the family.

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