John Paul Kammeyer, aged 66, Silver Lake, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Born on May 5, 1958, in Fort Wayne, to Joann Herndon Kammeyer and the late Harold Kammeyer, John graduated from Woodlan High School in Woodburn in 1976. He continued his education at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, where he studied art education and teaching.
At the young age of 19, John knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Debora Jenkins, whom he married on April 1, 1978. Together, they embraced the joys of raising two children and are blessed with four grandchildren. They recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary this year.
John cultivated a successful career in retail farm equipment. Beginning in the parts and services department at Woodburn Equipment, Woodburn, his entrepreneurial spirit led him into sales and he developed an early passion for John Deere. He spent over 45 years helping customers across Indiana and Ohio with their farming and construction equipment. He held various sales and management roles throughout his career, including positions at Noble Agri-Traders Corp., Ligonier; Mutton Power Equipment, Fort Wayne; and Wabash Equipment, Troxel Equipment and Truland Equipment, Wabash.
Demonstrating his commitment to his community, John served as a reserve police officer for over five years with the Sheriff’s Department of Fort Wayne. He was also a member of Warsaw Community Church in Warsaw.
John was esteemed for his strong work ethic and keen sense of humor. He enjoyed storytelling and could often be found in his office, laughing with friends. An avid enthusiast of John Deere toys and firearms, he amassed an impressive collection of both. He held a deep respect for nature and animals and found pleasure in riding his Harley Davidson bike and embarking on adventures with his wife.
Possessing a notable artistic side, John had an incredible gift for realistic drawing and painting, which he picked back up later in life. His diverse interests included ’70s music, reading historical novels and gardening. Most weekends would find him outdoors, tending to the lawn or fixing things around the house. Above all, John cherished his family and placed great importance on his children and grandchildren, ensuring they knew how profoundly proud he was of them.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Debora Kammeyer, Silver Lake; daughter, Cheryl (Christopher) Troxel, Noblesville; son, Kevin Kammeyer, Palm Springs, Calif.; and four grandchildren: Avery, Mia, Jaebets and Olivia Troxel, Noblesville. Also surviving are two brothers, Donald (Sandy) Kammeyer, Woodburn; Lawrence (Wendy) Kammeyer, Palm Bay, Fla.; and two sisters, Karen (Mark) Slezewick, Lebanon, Ohio; Sharon Carey, Albion. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Joann (Herndon) Kammeyer and his sister, Mary Ann (Kammeyer) Morgan.
Friends and family are invited to share a time to visit from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. John’s life will be celebrated with a service at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 2 with an hour of visitation prior from 10 to 11 a.m. at Warsaw Community Church, 1855 S. County Farm Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Jamy Gregory. A graveside service will follow at Harrison Center Cemetery, Etna Green.
Memorial donations in John’s memory may be directed to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023; or to Right to Life of North Central Indiana, P.O. Box 1162, Warsaw, IN 46581-1162.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.