John Melvin Ream

John Melvin Ream, 93, of Monrovia, was released from the debilitating disease of dementia and concluded his earthly journey, on June 30, 2023, in Cumberland Trace, Plainfield. The youngest of five children born to the late Pearl and Hallie (Pullins) Ream, his journey was brought into motion on May 15, 1930, in Urbana, Ohio. John also referred to as “Mel,” was born into an established farming family who had settled into the small town of Urbana shortly after the crash on wall street that began the Great Depression. It was there he was instilled with the value of hard work while cultivating and driving trucks and hauling crops for the Ream family farm. He attended Salem High School in Champagne County where he met a local girl who was six years younger and the love of his life, Gayle. The pair were united in marriage on April 27, 1954, sharing nearly 70 admirable years of marriage. Relocating to Indiana for work purposes, John took a sales position for New Holland Agriculture and the newlywed couple settled into the quiet small-town life of Mooresville, where they purchased their newly acclaimed farm in the White Lick area. Blessed with four sons, John was sometimes known to be a strict father, but he loved his boys deeply. A hard worker, he thoroughly enjoyed classic cars and was a member of the Historic Auto Club of Indianapolis. Gifted with his hands, his labor of love went into the restoration of a 1933 black and silver Buick and a 1937 blue Buick. An avid IU Basketball fan, Gayle and John were huge supporters of Bobby Knight, aka “the General” and when it came time to cheer on the Hoosiers, they hung on the edge of their seats cheering their team on, especially in times of rivalry. John and Gayle discovered their passion for traveling after retirement visiting the tropical island of Jamaica, as well as her favorite vacation destination, the Bahamas. When John was diagnosed with dementia, Gayle selflessly looked after him until her passing on June 9, 2022. Completing his battle with the ravages of his disease, Mel was called to join his beloved wife on the last day of June, ending the suffering he became free at last from the vessel that put in the miles and lived through lots of good memories with those that he loved, especially his grandchildren. Along with his parents, John was preceded in death by all four siblings, George Ream, Donna Anderson, Martha Oelker, and Thelma Channel. Survivors include his four sons, David Ream of Mooresville, John Ream (wife, Jeanette) of Mooresville, Richard Ream of Connersville, and Dan Ream (wife, Denise) of Mooresville; grandchildren, John Douglas of Mooresville, Jennifer Davis (husband, Greg) of Monrovia, Sam Ream of Brooklyn, Seth Ream of Mooresville, Ryan Wells of California, Stephanie Badger of Plainfield, Jeremy Ream of Monrovia, Jackie Fox (husband, Joe) of Mooresville; great-grandchildren, Kaden and Kyra Davis, Shawn Ream, Natalie Cordray, Grant, Weston and Oaklyn Fox and little Richard Ream; brother in law, Jack Oelker of Urbana, Ohio. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 1:00 pm, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, with visitation held prior to the services from 11:00 am. Pastor Richard Dickison will officiate the services and John will be laid to rest next to Gayle in White Lick Cemetery, Mooresville. In addition to flowers and sympathy gifts, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E 91st St. Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46209-4830, and envelopes will be available during services. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in his memory, please visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com.

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John Melvin Ream

March 15, 1930 - June 30, 2023