John L. Armantrout

1938 - 12/2/2020

John L. Armantrout died at his home on December 2, 2020. Born in 1938 in Portland, Indiana, he was the son of Arthur and Mildred (Zook) Armantrout. A graduate of Bryant High School and Elkhart University, he continued his studies at Boise State University, Washington State University and University of Alaska-Anchoage. In 1967, while living in Sunnyside, WA, John met and married Mary Caton.

John was employed as a Research Scientist at Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Richland, Washington. He did advanced research with the Cellular Molecular Life Science Division, located on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. His research involved studies of the potential effects of Nuclear Reactors on the environment,.i.e. soil, water quality, and the fishery of the Columbia River System.

As a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, John also served hospitals in Colorado, Washington and Alaska. He enjoyed great pleasure from his hospital experiences, as he was able to see the positive results of his role during the diagnosis, laboratory testing, and medical treatment of ill and traumatized patients. John worked hundreds of hours pro-bono, attending to the needs of indigent children and senior citizens. Because of his great interest in bacteriology, hematology, and laboratory procedures, he served the patients and medical community well and was highly commended by the medical staff, state agencies, and communities where he worked.

John is survived by his wife, Dr. Mary (Caton) Armantrout, son Andy (and his daughter, Heather), daughter Karin (and her two daughters, Kyla and Grace); sisters: Jeanette (husband Doyal) Merrill, Carol Rogge, Lorene (husband Larry) Langsdale, and Beth Glessner. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John and Mary established the John L. Armantrout Science Scholarship and the Bryant High School Scholarship with the Portland Foundation. An avid supporter of youth education, John asked in lieu of flowers, that memorials be sent to the Bryant High School Scholarship Fund at the Portland Foundation, 112 East Main Street, Portland, Indiana 47371.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday December 15, 2020 at 2:00 PM in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Limberlost Cemetery, Bryant, Indiana. The Baird-Freeman Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Baird-Freeman Funeral Home;    December 10, 2020
Contributed by Jim Cox

Buried in Limberlost Cemetery