John D. Etchison, 46, Claypool, and formerly of Elwood, went to his eternal home at 2:54 a.m. June 25, 2016, in his residence. He was born Jan. 22, 1970, in Elwood, to Duane and Joanna K. Smith Etchison. He was a graduate of Elwood High School, class of 1988. He was a proud record-breaking quarterback of the 1987 Elwood Panther state runner–up football team. Some of those records are still standing. He attended Earlham College to play football, but transferred to Ball State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in social studies. He later earned his master of science of education degree from IPFW. He was a former seventh-grade social studies teacher and coach at Edgewood Middle School, Warsaw, and basketball coach at Warsaw Community High School. He was currently employed by Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Claypool. He was a fan of the Indianapolis Colts and NASCAR with his favorite driver being Jeff Gordon. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of Beaver Dam United Methodist Church, Akron. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all. Surviving are his two daughters, Courtney Ellen and Kendra Leanne Etchison, both of Warsaw; and their mother, Sara Rode, Warsaw; his parents, Duane and Joanna K. Smith Etchison, Elwood; two sisters, Jennifer Etchison, Fishers, and Jessica (and spouse Dave) Williamson, Cincinnati, Ohio; nephews and nieces, Allison and Kristen Sallee, both of Fishers, and Ryan and Adam Williamson, both of Cincinnati; several aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous lifelong friends and co-workers. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his brother-in-law, Dan Sallee. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church Connection Campus, Warsaw, with Pastor Butch Troke, Beaver Dam United Methodist Church, officiating. Calling is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at the Connection Campus. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw is entrusted with the arrangements. ***** Memorials to the Courtney and Kendra Etchison College Fund at Teachers Credit Union. To sign the guestbook or send condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
