John M. Pohl

John Pohl died peacefully on Saturday, October 12th at Esther’s House, Elkhart, IN. He was 82.

John spent his high school years in Park Forest, IL, graduating from Rich Township High School, where he was an accomplished athlete and participated on the track, and diving and swim teams. 

 John served as a medic during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1966.

John was a voracious reader who loved to cook, listen to music, sail and do home projects. He was a gracious host, storyteller, and conversationalist, who loved to throw a good party, enjoy Guinness and knock down an Irish coffee or two at the end of the night.

 He enjoyed traveling and collecting old fashioned maps–the ones that open up and give you directions. One of John’s favorite destinations was Ireland, a place he and his wife had visited several times. 

John worked in sales at Da-Lite Screen, Warsaw, IN and Peabody ABC, in Winona Lake, IN. John and his wife of 59 years, Carole, were drawn to Lake Wawasee and raised their children in Syracuse, IN, where they have resided since 1972.

John is survived by the love of his life, Carole Pohl (Layng) who he married on August 7, 1965. John will be forever missed by his son Kevin Pohl (Elaine) of Syracuse, IN and daughter Anne Wall of Wheaton, IL; his grandchildren Ava, Julia, and Ryan Pohl, and James and Finn Wall; his sisters Julie Troxell of Lake St. Louis, MO and Jayme Gwin of Denver, CO; his brother in-law, Donald Layng (Sherry) of Lakeland, FL; his sister in-law, Sharon Johnson of McKinney, TX; his nephews Greg and Jeff Johnson, Max Gwin (Chelsea) and his nieces Lisa Rathbone Johnson and Hannah Williams (Saxon); and his great nephew, Ethan John Gwin.

A private service will be held. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials in John's name may be made to: Esther’s House, Center For Hospice Care, 22579 Old US 20 E, Elkhart, IN 46516 or via link: https://foundationforhospice.org/donate Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting John’s family. Online condolences may be made to John’s family at http://www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com