John R. Scanlan

John Rodney Scanlan, age 66, of Indianapolis, IN, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 24th, 2025, at Community Hospital East, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born in Champaign, IL, on August 21st, 1958, John was the son of Robert H. Scanlan and Joanne (Emmerth) Scanlan. He grew up in Iowa and, in 1983, joined the Unification/Family Federation Church in Des Moines, IA, where he became an integral part of the community.

In 1992, John was blessed with Mitsuyo Arata in the historic 30,000 couples blessing ceremony. Together, they built a life full of love, joy, and family. John was also deeply affected by the loss of his beloved daughter, Alina, who passed away in May 2022. Her memory remained close to his heart, and he often spoke of her with love and fondness.

John's career as an automotive technician spanned many years, with his expertise and passion for cars leading him to work at several well-known shops, including Tire America, Firestone, CarX, and Belle Tire. He had a remarkable ability to fix things and found joy in helping others with his mechanical skills.

Outside of work, John had many interests that brought him great happiness. He loved cars and motorcycles, enjoyed college football, and had a deep affection for animals—whether it was his beloved birds, cats, or dogs. He also had a special bond with children and was known for his playful spirit and affection for them. Gardening was another of his passions, where he found peace and contentment tending to his plants.

John is survived by his loving wife, Mitsuyo; their three sons, Casey, Sean, and Hogan; and his granddaughters, Yaneli Minami and Ana Maria. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A funeral service will be held at the Indianapolis Family Church, located at 6202 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 30th, 2025. A burial will follow at Carmel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made through GoFundMe to support his family during this difficult time.

John’s warm heart, generosity, and steadfast presence will be forever remembered by all who loved him.

Rest in peace, John.