John Vendel Jerman

John was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, by parents Anthony and Virginia Jerman. He graduated from North Central High School in Indianapolis in 1959 and attended Indiana State University.

John was always a ham destined for broadcasting. His career started in radio, at age ten, when he bought a small transmitter that carried his radio show just to the end of the block. In college, he was a DJ for radio station WBOW in Terre Haute, Indiana, before branching over into television traffic operations.

John was traffic manager at television stations in Indianapolis, Indiana; Columbus, Ohio; and Miami, Florida. He met his wife Darlene at what was then WLWC-TV in Columbus, Ohio. He led the traffic department at WJBK-TV2 in Detroit for many years before moving into the rapidly growing cable television industry with Storer Communications (later acquired by Comcast).

John was dedicated to the growth of Comcast Cable's TV advertising sales operations for most of his career, contributing his best years in the corporate headquarters as Director of Operations. He was an industry leader and served on several committees that ultimately led to the transition from analog to digital technology that revolutionized the way they did business.

Photography was John's passion and he traveled around the world. He ran with the bulls in Spain, walked the bridge over the River Quai in Thailand, trekked the Australian Outback, and visited the Galapagos Islands. He spent hours creating elaborate videos celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and winning seasons of the local high school sports teams. When he wasn't working on creative projects, you could find him riding his lawn mower or caring for the family dogs and his tropical fish.

John is survived by beloved wife of 56 years, Darlene; daughters Nancy, Anne Frederick (Carl), and Amy (Stan); grandchildren Gale and Rachel; brother Richard (Barbara), sister Mary Kay Wright (Bill); sister-in-law Susie Williams; sister-in-law Beth Cronenwett; several nieces and nephews, and even more dear and lifelong friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Brian Cronenwett. He will be remembered for his perseverance, humility, and sense of humor. John did things his own way right to the end.

The family is thankful for the loving care of Amedisys Hospice and the nurses in the transfusion unit of Ohio Health. In lieu of a funeral, the family is planning a future celebration of life.