Rev. Dr. John Sargent
The Rev. Dr. John Sargent, 79, of Deputy, was born Jan. 8, 1936, to Frances (Boldry) and Raymond Sargent in Wise Landing in Trimble County, Kentucky.
Beginning in 1954, Rev. Sargent served three years in the National Guard 38th Artillery Division, and was honorably discharged in 1957. He graduated from Madison High School in 1955 as valedictorian receiving the Kiwanis, Elks, Bausch-Lomb, and Reader’s Digest awards. He also ran track and set the high hurdles record that stood for 15 years.
He married Betty June Popp in 1956. She and their second baby died in childbirth in 1963. Their first child, Mindy, survives.
In 1958 he enrolled in DeVRY Technical Institute where he received certificates in fundamentals of electronics and television in 1958. Rev. Sargent attended Butler University for one year and transferred to Hanover College where he graduated with a B.A. in 1962. He was inducted into the Gamma Sigma Pi scholastic honor society. He was ordained into Christian ministry July 25, 1962, at the First Christian Church, Madison.
John married Carol Erickson, July 17, 1965. They celebrated 50 years of marriage just seven weeks ago. John and Carol had one child, Warren.
In the 1960s, John worked at the Firestone store in Madison, either earning money to go to seminary, or earning money because he had gone to seminary. Rev. Sargent attended Christian Theological Seminary and received the Master of Divinity degree, Cum Laude in 1971 and the Doctor of Ministry Degree Cum Laude in 1972. His doctoral thesis was “The Doctrine of ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) a historical study.”
During his lifetime of ministry, Rev. Sargent served Bethel Christian Church, New Washington; New Washington Christian Church, New Washington; Chapel Hill Christian Church, Borden; First Christian Church, Winamac; Arlington Heights Christian Church, Indianapolis; and Little Flat Rock Christian Church, Rushville, where he retired in 1998.
John was an avid photographer and appreciated the great outdoors. He and Carol transformed their 29-acre wooded lot into a attractive retreat with more than 3 miles of trails, picnic area, and flower and vegetable gardens. John enjoyed working with his tractor, backpacking, cross-country skiing, attending church conventions, and travel. He designed and constructed the elaborate decking that surrounds their home. He did the wiring, plumbing and general carpentry finishing the basement of their house.
John died comfortable at his home surrounded by family on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 8:03 p.m.
John will be missed by his loving wife of 50 years Carol Ann Erickson Sargent of Deputy; loving daughter Malinda “Mindy” [David] Detweiler of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; loving son Warren [Katie] Sargent of Brownsburg; adoring grandchildren: Justin, Hannah, Faith and Shawn; step-grandchildren: Macauley and Ellen; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Fred and Sally Erickson of Hallsville, Missouri; and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife and his second child; brother Bill Sargent; and sister Louise Loose.
Friends may call Thursday, Sept. 10, 5-8 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive Madison, Indiana, and Friday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the First Christian Church, 512 West Main Street in downtown Madison, Indiana. Services will follow at 11 a.m., by Rev. Bill Johnson at the First Christian Church. Interment will follow in the Bedford I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Bedford, Kentucky.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church.