John R. Urbahns Sr.

John R. Urbahns, 87, of Fremont, Indiana, passed away on December 27, 2024, in Hospice care at the Towne House Retirement Community, Fort Wayne, Indiana.Mr. Urbahns was born in Columbus, Indiana on June 1, 1937 to Robert and Jeanne (Baker) Urbahns. He was raised in Ingalls, Indiana and graduated from Pendelton High School. After graduation he briefly attended Purdue University and then entered the United States Army which started a lifetime of public service. He served in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps in post-war Germany, including during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. In 1964, he accomplished a lifelong dream and attended the Indiana State Police Recruit School at Indiana University in Bloomington. In May of 1964, he was appointed as an Indiana State Trooper where he served for 28 years at the Ligonier and Fort Wayne Post, retiring in 1992 as a squad sergeant. While serving, he attended Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and graduated in 1974. He continued his career for another 16 years with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security before fully retiring in 2008.

Mr. Urbahns was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont, Indiana. In 1974 he was a founding board member of the Indiana State Police Alliance and was active during his career in the Fraternal Order of Police. He was a lifetime member of the National Counter Intelligence Corps Association.

He married Kay L. (Thomas) on September 24, 1966. They moved to Lake James and together raised their family and enjoyed life on the lake.

Mr. Urbahns was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years in 2019.

He is survived by sons David J. (Lorell) Urbahns of West Chester, Pennsylvania and John E. Urbahns of Fort Wayne, brother David A. (Janet) Urbahns of Northville, Michigan and Phillip Urbahns of Fort Wayne. Also surviving are his 7 beautiful grandchildren that he loved and cherished dearly, Madeline, Zachary, Michael, Nathaniel, Elijah, Bridget and Isaac.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 3, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont with Rev. Jeffrey S. Teeple officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM, Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Weicht Funeral Home, Angola and also from 10-11 AM on Friday at the church prior to the service.Private family burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Peace Lutheran Church/Wee Creations Daycare.