John Albert Dayton passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his wife and children, on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Born October 15, 1947, in Washington, Indiana, to Albert and Helena Dayton, John was a man of many interests, academic and athletic. He grew up in Washington playing with his siblings, narrating his own backyard basketball games, perfecting his pitches, and inserting playful mischief and creativity that cultivated his sense of humor.
John attended Washington Catholic High School where he notably played varsity basketball and drums for the pep band. That was also when John started dating the love of his life, Rebecca (Becky) Allison, whom he would court throughout high school and college–even hitchhiking to spend time with her on the weekends. John studied Mathematics at Purdue University, solidifying a lifelong loyalty to the Boilers.
After John graduated from Purdue University, he and Becky became engaged; they were married on June 13, 1970. John started his career as a mathematician at the Crane Naval Weapons Center. He later owned The Spectator, a men’s clothing store, on Main Street in Washington, and then became a Certified Public Accountant.
Those who knew John, near and far, knew of his fondness for golf, a game he took up in college. John won many a club championship at the Washington Country Club. He taught his children the game and the family enjoyed spending many hours on the golf course together and sharing shot-by-shot analyses of rounds at the dinner table. Later in life, John and Becky would travel the country, watching golf tournaments and golfing with their children (and in-laws) at some of the most beautiful courses in the world.
John loved his family more than anything, providing every opportunity possible. One of his greatest sources of pride was that all his children received all of their degrees from the University of Notre Dame. He loved visiting ND’s campus with Becky to watch football games and taking their dogs along to share in the experience.
John was well known for his wit. He loved observational humor and had a fondness for those who playfully employed sarcasm as a means of communication. Those who spent time with John also knew he loved a good debate and had a keen sense of right and wrong. He admired leaders who worked for justice and equality, instilling those values in others.
A devoted family man, John’s great love for his wife, Becky, was evident in all he said and did. They were best friends and partners in parenting. Becky was the center of John’s world, showing us all what a loving marriage looks like.
John is survived by his sister, Mamie Cohen (Rick); brother-in-law, Tom Snow; brother-in-law, Jim Allison (Pat); sister-in-law Mary Beth Robinson (Jim); sister-in-law, Nancy Allison; sister-in-law, Linda Allison; nieces and nephews; his children: Christopher Dayton (Nancy); Matthew Dayton (Michelle); Julia Klein (Scott); Andrew Dayton (Danielle); eleven grandchildren: Christopher and Nancy’s children — Jacob Dayton, Grace Dayton, Kendall Ohmes, Katelyn Ohmes; Matthew and Michelle’s children — Hadley Dayton, Patrick Dayton; Julia and Scott’s children — Peter Klein, Luke Klein, Henry Klein; Andrew and Danielle’s children — Benjamin Dayton, John (Jack) Dayton; and his loving, devoted wife, Becky.
During his lifetime, John mourned the loss of his parents, Albert and Helena Dayton; mother-and father-in law, Adrain and Lillian Allison; brother, Jim Dayton; sister, Janet Snow; brother-in-law, Mike Allison; and brother-in-law, Mark Allison.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 315 NE 3rd Street, Washington, Indiana 47501, or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 815 East Main Street, Washington, Indiana 47501.
Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 pm, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the Ed L. Lee Mortuary, 620 East Viola Avenue, Washington, Indiana.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for John Dayton at 10:00 am, Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 315 NE 3rd Street, Washington, Indiana. Father Paul Ferguson will be the celebrant, Burial will be in the St. John Cemetery and will be scheduled at a later date.
Condolences may be left online for the family of John Dayton at www.edleemortuary.com. The staff of the Ed L. Lee Mortuary is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements for John Dayton and the care of his family.
