My Uncle John in butterfly form messing with me :)

He will be a great companion and give me much joy.

John, thank you for putting the puppy in my path just at the right moment.

Joe, Dondi, Therese and Kaia visited John's Memorial at "The Farm" in Morristown, IN on Thanksgiving 2013. 

FROM JOE, DONDI, KAIA - On the year anniversary of John's death we took a walk up high school butte. It was quiet and the snow flakes soft and beautiful as they melted on our faces. We miss his spirit but took solace in the knowledge that his beloved self is contained in every unique and sparkling flake. We send all our love to Antelope on this very special anniversary.

Good afternoon, my name is Dick, my wife Jane and I are friends of John Inglert and his wife Therese. I'd like to share some of my memories of John. He moved here in 2004, 2 years after I did. I met him at a Yacht club dinner, and after five minutes I felt I had known him a lifetime, and wanted to be his friend. He had a relaxed, easy manner, and a warm smile, that endeared everyone to him, from the start. 
We rode bicycles out the causeway to the bridge many times. A group of us and our wives played cards every month. It was a joyful time. John took a liking to tennis, playing five times a week, sometimes more, and no surprise, he was very good at it, as well as referring matches a IMG.
Because of his expertise with mechanics, I'd ask him how to fix something at our house, he explain it to me, but more often than not, he'd say, "let me show you." My old house wouldn't be standing but for his help.
John and Therese were a great couple, to themselves, their children, grandchild, and to all others, they were a source of love and strength, values, and kindness.
John and Therese also loved boating, and he was on the Board of the Palma Sola Yacht Club, worked hard at various positions, including installing the new docks. 
Their home, their cars, their boat looked brand new because of the care and maintenance he took on his own. But helping others is what he did best.
His passing, his absence, has left a deep sadness, a big hole in my heart. But I take great consolation in reminding myself how lucky we were, to know him, and to have been a part of his life. He gave us so much, he set such an example of how to live.
John truly followed the command to love your neighbor as yourself. "A man for others." I'd like to have credentials like John Inglert, when I meet my Maker. God bless and keep you, John, may He hold you in the palm of His hand. 

Friends from the start and are still together...........
Having my parents live next to John and Theresa was the best thing that ever happened to them, to all of us.   They became part of our family and we never visited my parents without making sure we had our John and Theresa time!  Wine and cheese at night on the lenai sharing jokes about "the things Homer bought that John had to have" and the "things John bought that Homer had to have".   They never grew out of the show and tell phase.   When something had to be fixed in one of the houses, they both had to fix it together because one of them always had a tool the other one could use.   

Losing both of them the same year has been hard but we know they are up there, looking down at us, saying "your doing good, your doing good"  with one of those sh** eating grins on their faces.  And you know they are thinking "why are they fixing it that way,  you know you have to do it this way";  

Both perfectionists!  Both jokesters!  Both of whom were loved so very much. 


The picture I added, says it all.      

    

Hello to all who view this site. I wanted to share with you some of the words that were shared at John's Celebration of Life Ceremony in Bradenton, FL on Feb. 11, 2012.

Written by Angie Cowan (niece):

I would like to welcome you all here today as we celebrate the life of our cherished friend and family member, John Inglert.  I am John’s niece, Angie, and I have been asked to speak on behalf of the family.

Upon hearing the news of John’s passing, I was extremely saddened, as I am sure all of you were. Last week I arrived in Bradenton to help support Therese and plan this celebration. I soon realized that Therese already had such an overwhelming outpouring of love and support, that the role I really needed to fill was simply to be here and listen and reassure all of her friends and family that she was taken care of and that she was being strong, just as John would have wanted.

Another realization that soon came to light was the depth of love and respect that so many people expressed for John through their countless words of support and gestures of kindness. In fact, just take a look around you…… and see all who have gathered here today to celebrate John’s life. Yes, there is indeed a time to mourn our loss, but today, let us join together in hope and celebration for this truly courageous, sincere, and gentle man. Let us remember the full and wonderful life that John lived and focus on his kind, joyful spirit that remains with us today.  We truly believe that is what John would want and hope for us.

To continue the ceremony, we would like to share some words that John’s sons, Eric and Mark, have written in remembrance of their father. We will then spend some time sharing food and conversation before forming a share circle to give you all an opportunity to say a few words or share a short story about our beloved John. To conclude the celebration, Therese and John’s son, Mark, will release two butterflies to represent the cycle of life and the journey of John’s spirit to a place of freedom and peace in Heaven.

Written by Eric Inglert (son):

It is hard for me to believe it has been only one year since dad expressed such delight about his renewed interest in guitar. I had given him a simple gift at Christmas of several large books of sheet music. It was dad who gave me the greater reward, because he so enjoyed learning those old favorites. I can hear dad singing and playing Otis Redding's lines "... sittin' on the dock of the bay / Watching the tide roll away ..." It reminds me of recent walks with him down to Rose Park to watch the beautiful sunset, and also of not-so-recent boat docks on the Ohio River after a long day of water skiing. Dad gave me the gift of music. He taught me to play guitar during those long winters as we waited for summer boating fun and the baseball games he coached. It is hard for me to believe that was so many years ago, and not yesterday.

Dad gave me so many gifts ... a sense of fair play,physical and mental strength, and dignity -- even in defeat. Dad's love of tennis, his resilience and persistence and his incredible fitness. It is hard for me to believe he was so recently on a tennis court when so swift would come his final point.

I look around my house and see dad's hand in every room, because he helped Lisa and me make this old house where we live into a home. As an architect I can attest that dad was the best craftsman I have known ... his maker's mark is written indelibly in my home and I like to think also in my character. It is hard for me to believe how surprised he was when I told him, as we drove in his truck on our way to pickup the new windows for our sunroom, that Lisa and I would soon have a new baby -- he joked that he couldn't believe it and had given up on us. He was so proud of his only grandson Graham, and they became very close these past 11 years.  It is hard for me to believe that I can match the love he showed for his sons, but I will honor his memory everyday by doing my best.

It is so very hard for me to believe that he is gone, but I am grateful for his gift.

Written by Mark Inglert (son): 

I suspect it is fair to say that people’s first heros are their parents. And, that is certainly true in my case. But, I’ve been humbled in the past couple of weeks to find out how my hero impacted the lives of family and friends who have been so kind to reach-out and share their sadness with me since his passing. Some have shared memories of my father that I had all but forgotten and some have suggested a regard for him that I previously believed only his closest family had. For all these sentiments I am thankful.

These past few weeks since his passing have given me time to remember our shared experiences with a myriad of emotions: fondness, appreciation, sadness, and especially love. But, it has also caused me to contemplate the uncertain and unpredictable nature of our lives as exemplified by the suddenness of dad’s passing. We all have only so much time in life and, as for me, I’d like to try to spend as much of it as I can being as happy as I believe he was as well as enjoying the life he helped to provide me.

When I was growing up, my parents felt it important to spend time together as a whole family and it was rare for us all not to be together on a Sunday night watching movies and eating pizza, popcorn, and/or ice cream. So when my brother and I went off to college, we maintained that connection with a call on Sunday evenings, which has continued all the way into adulthood.

My calls with dad lately had consistently focused on updates on the usual subjects of our health, my job, his tennis, our dogs, or our house projects but, in the end, we’d find ourselves talking about some aspect of fishing or planning our next trip. At times it was difficult for us to put a fishing trip together but when everything fell into place and we ended up on the water, something always happened giving us a story to tell later regardless of whether the fish were biting. Those times on the boat with dad, Therese, and friends are some of my favorites. Even when fishing activities got quiet, just sitting there with dad somehow the beer tasted better and the conversation, while mostly inconsequential, helped me put the world into perspective.

There are many great memories we shared throughout the years but among some of my others with dad include working on projects around the house. I was consistently amazed at his knack for being able to design, build, and/or repair nearly anything. And, almost on queue every time after completing a job, he’d turn to me and say, “I can fix anything but a broken heart”. I guess every hero needs his catchphrase.

Dad you will most definitely be missed!

Written by Shelly Kleiman (sister):

 It is amazing the thoughts and memories that flash through your mind as you sit across from your big brother and know he is dying.  You try to be strong and provide comfort and courage.  As I look at him, he still looks like my brother, and I can’t believe that his body is overwhelmed with that vile disease.  I just keep thinking, let him be okay.  I am not ready to let him go.  I have so many wonderful and funny memories of this guy I have always looked up to and went to with my problems.  As a kid I truly thought he was indestructible.  You suddenly realize what is important in this life.  We all spend so much time worrying about what we don’t have yet or need.  It is your family and the friends that mean so much – the time we spend loving them.  Even though I know John is in a better place and not suffering, I feel a little selfish and don’t want to lose him.  My big brother was a wonderful person and will be missed by me daily every time someone says or does something that reminds me of him or I hear a song that he loved.  I know heaven is a better place now and there is lots of celebrating going on with daddy and Uncle Bob.  I love you, brother, and will celebrate your life every day.

I dated Bob Jackson for five years back in the late 70's to the early 80's. John was a very large part of the many friends that Bob surrounded himself with. I was always amazed how close John, Bob, Dave, and Jake  are. They all remained such close friends for so many years and I admire their longevity together-but those are the kind of guys they all are-straight up, loyal, honest, dependable, and certainly fun loving. From the pictures, it appears that John had a wonderful life since we last spoke. He surely deserved it. He was always very kind and considerate. I was only in his life for a tiny sliver but I am surely glad to have known him.

This picture is from the New Pal 20th Reunion of their Class of 63. Just wanted to share it.
Sharon (BabyCakes) Polte-Chavez

Probably the most special and intimate evening in Hawaii where we learned about the Hawaiian culture, live music, and celebrating John and Christian's birthdays. A great group of people and great atmosphere--special memories created and shared by all. John talked about how wonderful all the food was every day and thoroughly enjoyed his time sitting by the pool, reading a book, and listening to the ocean. A special and magical time for all. Thanks to each and every one for making this trip a spectacular memory. Despite Therese having reservations about suggesting the trip, John had a wonderful relaxing time. We are honored that you joined us and are part of the memory.

You will be missed,

Love,

Jon

Despite a ruptured achilles tendon and prostate cancer, John hiked down a mountain to visit the leper colony. His calves were tight for about three days, but he enjoyed the adventure and nature views. "Sea turtle!!!"