John A. Houff

John A. Houff, February 10, 1944-November 16, 2015 Visitation will be Sunday, November 22, from 3 P.M. until 7 P.M. at Shirley Brothers Fishers/Castleton Chapel, 9900 Allisonville Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 11 A.M. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 46th and N. Illinois St., with viewing at 10 A.M. at the Church. Born in Lorain, Ohio, John was the son of Harry P. Houff and Dorothy J. Houff (deceased). He attended Christ the King school and Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, and Georgetown University (School of Foreign Service) in Washington, D.C., being elected Vice President of his senior class. John's love of all things Potomac never left him, and he was especially honored when his former Georgetown student-government colleague, President Clinton, invited him and his family to the White House. John earned his law degree from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis and served the State of Indiana in the Office of the Attorney General (Jack Dillon) and as Law Clerk to Appellate Ct. Judge White. In his life-long career with the U. S. Government, John served with distinction in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Following his appointment as Regional Counsel for the VA, he served as chief of Legal Affairs and staff for both Indiana and Kentucky. In recognition of his work on behalf of veterans and the hospitals that served them, he was bestowed a Kentucky Colonel by the State of Kentucky. Among his many accomplishments, John was past President of the Federal Bar Association, President of the Civil War Roundtable (Indianapolis), and Lector at his parish. As a leader, a co-worker, or friend, he was a man of wit and wisdom who loved his family, missed his dog Max, still rooted for the Cubs and Colts, and treated everyone kindly. Those who knew him best will remember his great love of reading, visiting bookstores and museums, family outings along the Eastern Shore and Lake Michigan, and playing golf on Wednesdays (37 1/2 yrs with the same buddies!). John's survivors include his brother Harry and sister-in-law Alice, nieces Kathleen and Joanne, nephew David (their spouses and children), brother-in-law James Clidinst. His beloved son Benjamin Patrick and wife Rosie will cherish their memories of a man dearly loved. We are grateful to friends, family and all in the health profession who have provided care and concern. You may honor John by sharing a book, telling a great story, preserving a battlefield, or making a donation to cure Multiple Myeloma (c/o IU Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, or the International Myeloma Foundation (www.myeloma.org). Memories welcome at www.shirleybrothers.com.

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John A. Houff

February 10, 1944 - November 16, 2015