On September 14, 2022, John was welcomed into heaven by his Redeemer, Christ Jesus after a long and fruitful life of eighty six years.

John is survived by his loving wife, Peggy, his treasured daughter, Katherine, his much loved grandson, Laithen (Paige), many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins here and there in Eastern Kentucky and dear friends.

John has been preceeded in death by his precious son, Howard and much loved daughter-in-law, Glenda, his parents, Waid and Grace, his brothers and sister-in-laws, Howard and Naomi, Robert and Wanda, William and Connie, George and Sue, his sister, Barbara, and his nephews Thomas, Timothy, and Gregory.

John was born at home in Hessville, Indiana on March 31, 1936 to Waid and Grace McBrayer. He was the fourth of their six children. He grew up within a close extended family here and in Eastern Kentucky. He spent his formative years in Hessville and summers on his grandparent's farms in Carter County, Kentucky. He accepted Christ at a young age and faithfully attended and served at the First Christian Church in Hessville. At a young age, he demonstrated his commitment of service to others. He was honored as the Patrol Boy of the Year by Hammond Schools. After the family moved to Calumet Township, John graduated from Calumet High School in 1955.

On December 6, 1956, during a chance meeting, John met the love of his life, Peggy Jo Wilson. Within two weeks, he asked the 16-year-old Peggy to marry him. She laughed. He persevered. On August 6, 1957, John and Peggy eloped accompanied by her big brother and sister-in-law, John and Alice Wilson. They were married before a Justice of the Peace in Corinth, Mississippi. Each year, John brought Peggy a bouquet of red roses to honor the day they met. John and Peggy recently celebrated sixty five years of marriage.

Family and service was at the core of John's life. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, son-in-law and friend. He was the go-to and fix-it guy for many people. No matter what it was, he could build it or fix it. Once built, it never came apart. John and Peggy could always be counted on to be there for the people that they cared about.

Life was always busy for John. During their first year of marriage, John and Peggy built their first home in Portage. In September of 1958, they welcomed their daughter, Katherine. In December of 1960, they were delighted in the birth of their son, Howard. Their family was complete.

John was an energetic worker. He began his work life at fourteen with a neighborhood bicycle ice cream route. As he became older, he worked at the Cedar Lake Christian Camp, Gregory's Grocery Store and Junior Toy. In 1961,  John began working at the Ford Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights, Illinois and became a member of the United Auto Workers Union, Local #588. He completed a two year apprenticeship to become a journeyman machine repairman. He spent the next thirty years with Ford repairing the huge parts presses, working a decade as a supervisor, and ending his career working on special projects such the computerization of company wide inventory systems and the extensive inspection of a new press purchase in Kamatzu, Japan. John retired in February of 1991.

In the fall of 1973, John and Peggy began a new adventure with the purchase of six acres of undeveloped farm land. This purchase would fill and frame the rest of their lives. With the help of Peggy, Kathy and Howard, this became "John's Farm". Within a few years, a new home, barn, huge garden, orchard, grape arbor, berry thickets and menagerie of farm animals and pets filled the farm to over flowing. From the beginning, this has always been John's "happy place".

Avid organic gardeners, John and Peggy have shared the abundance of the farm with many family and friends. Their hard work and generosity have provided for themselves and for many others. Through the years, many visitors to the farm have gone home with bags of fruit and veggies during the summer and jars of jam or pickles during the winter.

The Farm has also given John and Peggy the opportunity to extend their gift of hospitality. A multitude of parties, holidays, and picnics have been shared with those that they love. Many years, the yearly McBrayer morning breakfast picnic would extend to an afternoon cookout with fresh picked tomatoes and corn on the cob for lunch. After a day of playing in the pool and exploring the farm, everyone would reluctantly end the day with exhausted children in the early evening.

John and Peggy's service also extended to the community. Through the years, John was an assistant Boy Scout leader with Howard, a member of the Porter County Democratic Party, a supporter of the Hobart Humane Society and a volunteer with the "Neuter Scooter" for cats. Their love of flowers and community service were combined as members of the Portage Garden Club.

For fifteen years, John and Peggy split their time between the farm and Kentucky Lake. Laithen would come and stay with them each year for the month of June. Each morning rising early to "gotta catch those fish, papaw". Magical days spent with his grandson sharing his love of nature and fishing. The time spent at the lake was a relaxing respite of fishing, friends and enjoying western Kentucky.

A memorial service honoring John's life will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hobart Community Center at Festival Park, 111 East Old Ridge Road, Hobart. There will be a two hour visitation prior to the service. Luncheon will be served immediately after the service. Cremation will take place with Rees Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Hobart. (219)942-2109 or online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.