John ‘Jack’ Charles Bridge
Former Rochester resident, Mr. John “Jack” Charles Bridge, 60, Terre Haute, passed away unexpectedly on May 13, 2016, at Union Hospital in Terre Haute.
On May 20, 1955, Jack was born in Logansport. He was a treasured son of Robert Rizer and Martha C. Weddle Bridge. Growing up as the youngest of three, he shared his childhood with a sister Nancy and brother Stephen. During his high school years, Jack played football for the Zebras. His senior year Jack was named as Northern Lakes Conference, All-Conference offensive tackle. With varied interests he also honed his skills in the artistic world. Jack’s favorite medium was acrylics, oils or water color. Jack graduated from Rochester High School in 1974.
With great interest in the arts and history, Jack chose to study at Indiana State University. He later graduated from ISU with a double major. Armed with his artistic talents Jack, was employed at Johns Dental Lab. He specialized using metals and ceramics to create crowns and bridges. To relax, he pursued his passion of art, creating unique works with oils and canvas. As a life-long learner, Jack feasted on movies and books on history. His areas of expertise include World War II, the Civil War and Indiana history. His favorite sports teams were The Chicago Cubs and Bears.
An adventurer, Jack loved traveling around the Midwest via motorcycle or car. Frequent destinations were state or national parks where he camped out under the star-lit skies. Late spring brought on mushroom hunting. In earlier years, Jack looked forward to hooking up with classmates Neil and Bill for their fishing trip at a designated locale around the Midwest.
Left to cherish Jack’s memory are his father: Robert Bridge and wife Carol of Rochester; a sister: Nancy Waggoner and husband Ted of Rochester; a brother, Stephen Bridge and wife Catherine of Indianapolis; seven nieces and nephews including Gretchen Anderson and husband SGT Scott of Fayetteville, N.C.; Jeanette Habing and husband Philip of Carmel; Anne Dust and husband Silas; Thomas “Tom” Lutholtz; Joseph Lutholtz; Mimi Bridge; and Theresa Bridge all of Indianapolis; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Martha, on Nov. 11, 1976.
A celebration of the life of Mr. Jack Bridge will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th Street, Rochester. Pastor Mike VanHeyningen will officiate. The family will received friends from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Rochester’s IOOF Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Fulton County Historical Society 37-E 375-N Rochester, IN 46975 or the Vigo County Historical Museum, 1411 S 6th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47802.
Good Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.