John Lehner Obituary

John J. Lehner
December 29, 1943 – March 4, 2025
John Joseph Lehner of South Bend, Indiana passed away Tuesday, March 4th, at Memorial Hospital surrounded by family.
He was born in Mishawaka, IN to the late Paul M. Lehner, Jr. and Margaret Van Acker. He married Judith A. Dworecki, of South Bend, Indiana on July 1, 1967 at St. Anthony's da Padua Church in South Bend, IN, who survives.
Their fifty-seven-year marriage was blessed with one child: John J. Lehner, Jr (Joanna) of Carmel, IN; and 2 grandchildren, Andrew & Rachel Lehner. They survive as well as his sister Joan (Terry) Tringle of Brentwood, TN, and in-laws Anne (Jim) Aitchison; Mary Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother & sister-in-law Paul (Linda) M. Lehner, III along with brother-in-law, Michael Dworecki.
John was a member of Sacred Heart Parish at Notre Dame and a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was very proud of the fact that he and his father were the only father/son combo that served as the Faithful Navigator of Assembly 242. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1962. Early in his career, John enjoyed serving in the Air Force where he was registered as an ambidextrous sharp shooter. He started his own business, Lehner's Hair Salon, in the 1970s and operated the barber shop for over 18 years. He went back to school to earn is Bachelor of Science degree from Bethel College. He held several positions in the Finance field and eventually retired in 2005 from the United Way of St. Joseph County. He spent time volunteering with the College Football Hall of Fame along with numerous church committees over the years. John participated in numerous retreats at the Saint Meinrad Archabbey and received the distinction of Oblate of Saint Benedict.
He especially loved traveling with Judy, fishing, golfing, Notre Dame football, spending time with his grandchildren, and grilling. He was a master griller and could grill any type of meat to perfection.
Family and Friends may visit on Wednesday, March 12th from 4-7 pm with Rosary beginning at 3:30 pm. at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN. A Mass of Christian Burial will take plan on Thursday, March 13th at 10 a.m. at the chapel at the Sacred Heart Parish Center, 100 Sacred Heart Parish Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Interment will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, IN. Memorial contributions may be made in John's honor to the Oblate Program, St. Meinrad's Archabbey, 100 Hill Street, St. Meinrad, IN or to The Sacred Heart Parish of Notre Dame, 100 Sacred Heart Parish Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of John Joseph Lehner, please visit our floral store.