John DeSomer
John Edward DeSomer, of Syracuse, IN passed away on November 7, 2019 at home.
He was born on February 26, 1947 in Joliet, Illinois.
During a twenty-year career as an army ranger, John served his country through multiple
deployments in Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Israel, Nicaragua, Columbia, Venezuela, Syria,
and Afghanistan (at least those were the ones about which he was willing to share stories about).
On one reconnaissance mission he was captured and tortured, bearing the scars for the rest of his
life. On another, his back was broken on a parachute jump. He carried shrapnel in his back until
the end of his life. John was awarded four Purple Hearts and eight Bronze Stars. Most of us
cannot imagine the sacrifices he made, nor can we thank John enough for his service.
After his school career, which included much success playing football, running track, and
wrestling, John graduated from high school in Knox, Indiana and joined the army. After his first
tour of duty, he decided to re-enlist and make a career out of military service, rising to the rank
of Captain. He eventually trained as a respiratory therapist, working at several prestigious
university hospitals, such as Syracuse, U of Chicago, and South Carolina. He retired from
providing home care services for The Pill Box Pharmacy in Warsaw.
John was preceded in death by his mother
( Dorothy) and three brothers (Jim, Jerry, and Jay). He is survived by sisters-in-law, Ann
Cavender and Judy DeSomer (Tom Freel), several nieces and nephews, and his adopted family
of Renee Hursey (Curt, Julie, Bailey, Baylor, Samantha, Jason, Jase, and Shay).
A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 2 PM at the Eastlund Funeral Home with calling 1 hour prior.
Pastor Brad Cox will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Black Pine Sanctuary in Albion, Indiana.
Wounded Warriors & Disabled Vets