John E. Napier

John E. Napier, 88, of Stuart, FL passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023, with his three daughters by his side. John loved being with people and was out and about, talking with people, and living an active life until his final days. John was a master storyteller of people, places, and events, and, just like his dad, he loved to play pranks and tell a good joke.

John was a small-town boy from Terre Haute, IN. As a young boy, he rode his bike to fill vending machines for Canteen, the company his dad worked for. John attended Wiley High School and graduated from Indiana University School of Business. While at IU, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and remained lifelong friends with many of his fraternity brothers who to this day refer to him simply as Nape. After college, he was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps achieving the rank of Captain, 4th Marine Regiment at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Following the Marine Corps, John began a long and prosperous career with Canteen.

While on leave and passing through St. Louis to visit a fraternity brother, John was set up on a blind date with a lovely girl, Marilynn, and was so taken by her that upon returning to base in Hawaii, he called Marilynn from a pay phone to ask her to marry him. The next time he was on leave, he flew back to St. Louis where they secretly married at the courthouse. Six months later, after graduating from Barnes Hospital School of Nursing, Marilynn joined John in Hawaii where they had a church wedding and lived the first two years of their 56-year marriage. John proclaimed throughout his life that only two things made him the man that he was…the Marine Corps and Marilynn.

After discharge, John and Marilynn moved back to Terre Haute, and he went to work for his dad. He quickly climbed the corporate ladder of Canteen, being promoted to General Manager of St. Louis, then to MidWest Area Vice President, and finally Senior Vice President with an office at corporate headquarters in downtown Chicago. The family resided in Northbrook, IL.  He and Marilynn traveled worldwide for John’s work, but for rest, relaxation, and family fun, John and the family spent most summers on their boat on Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh, WI.

John’s career was in institutional food service with Canteen and later its parent company TW Services, Inc.  He had accounts across many different industries including many of the MLB, NFL and college sports stadiums; Ford, Chrysler and GM manufacturing plants; Caterpillar, McDonnell Douglas now Boeing, all of the National Parks, NASA and so many more.

John was civic-minded and a true patriot. John was involved with many charitable and social activities throughout his life. He was a City Councilman and Rotary Club President in Terre Haute.  He continued as a Rotarian in Chicago and later in retirement with the Rotary Club of Stuart, FL. He was a member of Merchants and Manufacturers Club, Club International, and the Indiana Society in Chicago. In retirement, he enjoyed his memberships with the Willoughby Golf Club in Stuart and Mountain Air Country Club in Burnsville, NC where he and Marilynn had a summer home.  From childhood with a transistor radio under his pillow, John followed St. Louis Cardinals baseball and continued his loyalty to the team throughout his life.

John was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Anne Napier originally of Wilmette, IL, his wife Marilynn, his stillborn son Patrick Thomas, his son John Anthony (Jimmy Navarro) of Denver, CO, his sister Patsy Nuttall (Gary) of Portland, OR, and his sister Peggy Haugh (Eamer) of Jasper, IN. He is survived by his three daughters, Julie Moss of Tampa, FL, Joan Logel (David) of Lake St. Louis, MO, and Angela Jandreski of Murfreesboro, TN. In addition, he leaves behind five grandchildren, Brian Arndt, Ben Logel (Becky), Patrick Logel (Elizabeth), Hannah Jandreski, Ryan Jandreski and six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who truly loved him and viewed him as a father figure and role model.  John was dearly loved and admired and will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Terre Haute Rotary Club or a charity of your choice. Additionally, the family requests for you to share your stories and remembrances of John with them at [email protected] . A private memorial service with immediate family only is planned.