John "Doc" H. Mcilwain

John Harper Doc McIlwain, of Marion, died early Friday, October 23, at Visiting Nurse Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, following a brief illness.

John was born in Indianapolis, on September 30, 1931, to Robert E. McIlwain, MD and Eleanor E. Harper McIlwain, MD. He grew up in Marion, attending Marion schools and Culver Military Academy, graduating from Marion High School with the class of 1949. He later attended Valparaiso University. On April 25, 1953, he married Helen Jarvis McIlwain, and they celebrated fifty-three years together prior to her death in late 2006. John was a life member of the First United Methodist Church, in Marion. Being a Marion Giant was important to Doc throughout his lifetime, and he attended as many class reunions as possible, always enjoying maintaining and renewing the treasured friendships of his youth. Doc also served with the Marion Motor pool Division of the Indiana National Guard.

Doc started his first business, a bicycle repair shop, at the age of 14, in a WWII surplus Quonset hut, in his parents South Marion back yard. He would go on to own Docs Auto Service, in a number of garages around Marion, being self-employed as a mechanic for nearly his entire life. There was very little automotive repair that he could not perform, and was well known as an expert and fair mechanic. He was also widely known for his appreciation of the Chevrolet Corvair, and owned a number of them during his life, and his expertise was sought by other aficionados of the make up until the time of his last illness.

John had also been employed as a voting machine mechanic for a number of years by the Grant County Election Commission and had served as a Republican Precinct Committeeman following Helens death, in Franklin Township. He enjoyed eating out with friends, especially at I.H.O.P. and J L Steakhouse, and following the loss of his wife, would never turn down an invitation to a home-cooked meal, for which he was always so grateful! He was an avid reader, especially of automotive related materials, and of Marion-Grant County history.

Doc is survived by his son, Edward McIlwain, daughter, Rhonda McIlwain Dean, and his beloved Granddaughter, Lauren Dean, all of Marion. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by his sister, Neysa McIlwain Lewark, and his daughter, Deborah Lynn McIlwain. He is also survived by a number of cousins, nieces and nephews, and many life-long friends.

A gathering of family and friends to remember the life and legacy of Doc McIlwain will be held from 4:00 8:00 PM, on Tuesday, October 27, at the College Park Chapel of the Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 4601 South Western Avenue, Marion, Indiana. Funeral services will also be held at the College Park Chapel, beginning at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 28th. A private committal service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Preferred memorials may be made to the Trustees of Marion First United Methodist Church, or to Visiting Nurse Hospice Home, of Fort Wayne, in care of the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be made shared with the family atwww.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.