John Adam Naab, 79, of Syracuse, Ind., passed away at 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012, at Greencroft in Goshen, Ind.

He was born on Thursday, Dec. 1, 1932, in Markle, Ind. He married Barbara (Cline) on Sunday, June 30, 1957, in Asbury United Methodist Church in Wells County.

Mr. Naab was a 1950 graduate of Markle High School and graduated from Ball State University in Muncie with a BS in 1955, a MA in 1959 and continuing education courses through Indiana University and Purdue University. He worked in education for 40 years, serving his first 13 years in the Montpelier-Harrison Township and Blackford County Schools where he served as a Business/Industrial Arts teacher, elementary teacher, principal at Montpelier Elementary, and curriculum coordinator. He also worked for the Wawasee Community School Corporation in Syracuse for 27 years where he served as principal at Syracuse Elementary 1967-1968, curriculum coordinator K-8 1968-1981, and principal at Syracuse Elementary/Jr. High 1981-1994.

He was a member of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Syracuse, former member of the Montpelier Kiwanis Club, and the Syracuse Lions Club. He also served as a member of many community organizations, including the Syracuse Public Library Board (1983-2001); Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (former board member), Cardinal Center, Warsaw (former board member).

Survivors include his wife: Barbara (Cline) Naab, Syracuse; mother :Helen (Stockman) Naab, Huntington, Ind.; son: John W. (Jennifer) Naab, Bloomington, Ind.; daughter: Susan R. (James) Donahoe, Goshen, Ind.; grandson: Justin W. Naab; granddaughter: Julia L. Naab; granddaughter: Angeline S. Donahoe; grandson: A. Schuyler Donahoe; sister: Barbara (Keith) Gilbert, Fort Wayne, Ind.; and a brother: David (Jayne) Naab, Huntington.

He was preceded in death by his father: Clarence O. Naab.

A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be at the Walker & Glancy Funeral Home, Montpelier, Ind., at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, with the Rev. Mike Neff officiating. Interment will follow in the Hartford City Cemetery in Hartford City, Ind. There will be a memorial service at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Syracuse at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, ATTN: Memorials and Special Gifts, 1413 N. Long Dr. Syracuse, IN 46567; the Syracuse Public Library, 115 E. Main St., Syracuse, IN 46567; or the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, PO Box 548, Syracuse, IN 46567.