John A. Holdren, of Leesburg, Fla., passed away in hospice care in Tavares, Fla., on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, at the age of 71.

He was born in Washington Courthouse, Ohio, on October 13, 1941 to Willard and Ethel (Groves) Holdren.

He is survived by his loving wife Iris, children Jason (Cindy) Holdren, of Fla., Judd (Kathy) Holdren, Dennis (Veronica) Maready, Beverly (Dallas) Settle, all of No. Carolina; Kent (Lynn) Maready of Fla. Siblings Louise Moser of Fla., Ruth Holst of Ill., Pat (Donald) Johnson, of Chesterton, Ind., Dan (Debi) Holdren, of Valparaiso, Ind., along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, aunt Beulah Olson, of Chesterton, Ind. and uncle Paul White, of Greenfield, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Janette Holdren and siblings Willard Jr. (Blackie) Holdren, Gene Holdren, Everett Binegar, Betty Lute, Violet Lawwell, Barbara Ross and niece Hannah Marks.

After moving to Chesterton in 1942, he attended Pine Township elementary school and graduated from Chesterton High School in 1959. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served four years. He played the drum in the Drum and Bugle Corps, traveling all over the world to perform.

In 1981 he moved to Winston-Salem, No. Carolina. where he operated and owned J.A. Holdren and Assoc., a real estate appraisal business for many years. After retirement he and his wife Iris relocated to Leesburg, Fla., in Feb. of 2010. He worked for a short time at Cracker Barrel in Leesburg.

John loved and enjoyed his family, friends, his dog Brutus and life in general. He will be loved, remembered and dearly missed by his wife of 42 years, Iris, and all who knew and loved him.

A memorial ceremony was held Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 at Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Home Chapel, Tavares, Fla.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.SteversonHamlinHilbish.com

Posted 2/27/2013