John W. Mead, age 79, of Salem, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2025. Born September 8, 1945 in Carmel California, he was the son of the late Willis Chenoweth Mead and Helen Genevieve (Kiefer) Mead.
In 1970, John graduated from the Maurer School of Law Indiana University Bloomington and was admitted to the Indiana bar becoming a third generation attorney, practicing with both his grandfather and father in the Mitchell Building on E. Market Street. John was elected and served as Washington County Prosecuting Attorney in 1972-1974 and 1983-1990. In 2020, John was recognized by the American Bar Association for 50 years as a practicing attorney.
John joined Rotary International the same year he graduated law school, becoming a third generation Rotarian. He served as District Governor in 1982-1983 and was also a Past President and Director of Salem Rotary Club. He was a past Chairman of the Washington County Veterans Memorial; past Director of the Washington County Community Foundation; and past Director of the Washington County Historical Society. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and was a United States Army and Indiana National Guard veteran where he served as Captain and Commander of Company C.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary (Boling) Mead; 3 children: Sean Mead, Angela Mead, and Heather Jordan (Mark); 2 brothers: Jim Mead (Barbara) and Jerry Mead; 1 sister: Joan Manley; 4 grandchildren: Jordan dos Santos, Cassie Stout, Sydney Jordan, and Reagan Jordan; and 1 great grandson: Cooper Bane.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Helen Mead.
Funeral mass will be held Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church with burial to follow in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 23, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Hall located at 1500 E. RC Morris Drive, Salem, Indiana.
Donations in John’s honor can be made to the Washington County Community Foundation or to the Salem Rotary Club.
Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral care.
www.hughestaylor.net
