Submitted by: Dan Rich

John J. Ammeter

Dec. 12, 1908 - June 26, 2002

South Bend Tribune 6/28/2002

John J. Ammeter, 93, of Catalpa Street, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away on Wednesday, June 26, in his home. John was born on Dec. 12, 1908, in North Bend, Pa., as the son of the late Peter and Anna (Neiger) Ammeter.

On July 24, 1948, in Mishawaka, John married the former Elsie De Keizer, who preceded him in death Sept. 29, 1999. John was also preceded in death by five sisters, Anna Ammeter, Elizabeth Heaps, Adeline Ammeter, Mabel Brunner and Lena Dodds; and by three brothers, Fred, William and Alfred Ammeter.

John is survived by his brother-in-law, Camiel (Marian) De Keizer Jr. of Mishawaka; a brother-in-law, Marcel Coppens of Largo, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Betty Ammeter of Williamsport, Pa. He is also survived by seven nieces, Judy Huys, Carol (Joe) Mammolenti, Cheryl (Robin) Perkins, Esther Adorable, Lois Heaps, Anna Ammeter and Gloria Pryor; five nephews, Ken (Julie) De Keizer, Dennis (Dorothy) De Keizer, Jack Brunner, Dr. John Heaps and Robert Dodds.

In 1915 his family moved to Williamsport. He went to work for the U.S. Rubber Company and was transferred to Mishawaka in 1933 to what was known then as U.S. Ball Band, later changed to Uniroyal. He served in the United States Air Force overseas from August 1942 until October 1945 as a tail gunner. After discharge, John purchased the 2X4 Restaurant from his father-in-law, Camiel De Keizer Sr., which he operated along with his wife Elsie for 16 years.

After selling the restaurant he was employed by the U.S. Post Office as a letter carrier. He retired from the Postal Service in December 1973. John was a 50-year member of VFW Post 360 and the FOE #2083 of Mishawaka. He was a member of both the Battell and Howard Park Senior Citizens Club. John was also a member of the Federal Retirees #145 South Bend, National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 1, in the Hahn Funeral Home, with Rev. Barry England officiating. Entombment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Osceola, Ind. Contributions in memory of John may be made to the St. Bavo 2000 Building Project or to St. Bavo School, 511 W. 7th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544.