John L. Neher, M.D.

John Lewis Neher, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2016 with his wife by his side as she had been during his 9-month illness. John passed in Bonita Springs at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice. He was born November 15, 1932 in South Bend, IN son of the late Theodore “Ted” R. and Margaret Lydia (Hausmann) Neher. Adopting the nickname of Budsy, he was a graduate from Washington Clay High School in South Bend, IN where he was the salutatorian of his graduating class of 1951. While at Washington Clay he was a member of the Minutemen Club and was a letterman playing baseball, softball, cross country, track and basketball, wearing the #23 jersey as a member of the 1951 sectional championship basketball team where he played under coach Hershel Eaton, along side future all-American Don Schlundt. John graduated pre-med at the University of Notre Dame where he joined the ROTC. He went on to study medicine at Indiana University, graduating in 1958. He did his residency at the now-closed St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, Indiana. John returned home to South Bend and did his internship at Memorial Hospital. He then practiced family medicine for 27 years. He also directed medical services at the Northern Indiana State Children’s Hospital for 25 years and served several years on the sideline as the physician for the Clay High School basketball team. While in South Bend, Indiana during the 1970s he delivered the first set of triplets. In 1986 John retired and moved to Naples then later to Bonita Springs. In 1987 he returned to medicine working for Naples Community Hospital, under Dr. Robert Tober at the Urgent Care Centers on Marco Island and Golden Gate until 1999. Surviving is his wife of 36 years, Sharon Lynn Neher of Bonita Springs; two sons, John A. (wife Donna) Neher, of Houma, Louisiana and James B. Neher of Fishers, Indiana from his previous marriage to Janice R. Hartung; a stepson, Jon R. (Kimb) Miller of Niles, Michigan; adopted daughter Jennifer Johnson of Naples, FL; He is also survived by grandchildren, Carolee (David) Peterson of Dunham Springs, Louisiana, Brandi (Olin) Williams of Bauxite, Arkansas, Victoria (Tony) Hinojosa of Bakersfield, CA, Kevin Johnson, Ralph Johnson II and Karoline Johnson all of Naples, Florida. Great-grandchildren Cale, Briggs, Wyatt and Shaw Peterson. Brother Ted (wife Gail) Neher of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister Diane Van Heldorf of Westchester, Pennsylvania; a niece, two nephews and several great nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his beloved companion Princess Piper, his maltese dog. John enjoyed boating, fishing, golfing, his 150 orchids, furry girls (dogs) and grandchildren until his death. He had a true passion for Notre Dame football. He was a member of the Community Congregational Church in Bonita Springs. A memorial service will be held on August 27, 2016 from 6 -8 PM at the Kern Road Mennonite Church, 18211 Kern Road, South Bend, IN 46614. A second service will be held at a later date at Community Congregational Church in Bonita Springs, FL. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Hope Hospice 9470 Health Park Circle Fort Myers, FL 33908, the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home.

John L. Neher, M.D.

November 15, 1932 - July 22, 2016