John Walsh

John Patrick Walsh, age 70, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, July 26, 2024. He was born in Indianapolis on November 13, 1953, to Thomas Nelson and Rita Jean (Naville) Walsh.

John was a proud graduate of Roncalli High School, class of 1971. It was there he met the love of his life, Margaret Louise Denham, through mutual friends. They married on July 22, 1977, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Indianapolis; she preceded him in death on May 25, 2021. As John would tell it, "She was the best thing that ever happened to me!"

John was a long-time member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 34. He retired after forty years of installing, maintaining, and inspecting elevators throughout the state of Indiana. John was also a member of the Msgr. James M. Downey Council 3660 Knights of Columbus and a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul. A devout Catholic, he was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church, where he loved to say the rosary and attend morning Mass. After Mass, he would light a candle for his sweetie and enjoy breakfast at Flapjacks. John loved fishing and was a great storyteller, which always made for an interesting tale or two. Even if no one caught a single fish, he would ask, "But did you have any fun? That's all that matters!" He enjoyed the cold-weather months and loved to cheer on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Indianapolis Colts football teams. His favorite joys in life besides his family were tomatoes off the vine and fresh-fallen snow, to which he'd sing, "Please bring some snow for Johnny.” He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and making them laugh.

John was always willing to help someone in need and looked fondly on those who helped him through tough times. He will be remembered most as a kind and gentle man who deeply loved his family.

Survivors include his loving mother, Rita Walsh; daughters Jennifer (Michael) Tygrett and Meghan (Mark Wesley, Jr.) Wilson; siblings Thomas (Maile) Walsh, Jr., Mary Ellen (Clay) Uptain, Joseph Walsh, Susan Walsh (Jim Carper), and Karen (Todd) Davis; and grandchildren Connor, Ella, Genevieve, Preston, Anna, Gavin, and Spencer. John was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Walsh; brothers Paul Michael Walsh and Kevin Gerard Walsh; and grandchildren Francis, Josephine, and Luke.

Family and friends will gather on Friday, October 4, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lauck & Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services, 1458 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis. An additional visitation will take place Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 11 a.m. to noon at St. Roch Catholic Church, 3600 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. Fr. Douglas Hunter will celebrate John’s Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Committal will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to bring a canned food item for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry to either the funeral home or the church. Lauck & Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services are providing arrangements and care.

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