John Robert Strunk is celebrating his victory over cancer with Jesus.  In the home he and his family built together, he passed away peacefully with his family by his side, shortly before midnight, on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. John was born, September 14, 1963, to the late Hollis and Carolyn Morris Jones in Lafayette, Indiana. Soon after, he was adopted by his forever family, the late Robert Matthew and Mary Ruth (Whaley) Strunk.

John was baptized as a child while being raised in the Baptist church and chose to reconfirm his faith as an adult with a second baptism. His relationship with the Lord grew strongest over his last few years while his wife, a woman of faith, supported and encouraged his spiritual growth. Through the good days and the hardest days, he sought the Lord and found peace in God’s mercy and promises.

From a young age, John began building his beloved circle of friends that have stood by his side every day of his life. He was a 1981 graduate of Jefferson High School, worked several years at Wabash National and then landed his dream career as a lineman for Duke Energy (formerly Cinergy PSI), spending 15 years as a lineman and 9 additional years in substation maintenance. He loved his career with Duke and his coworkers, and he continued working alongside them until just months before his passing when his body could no longer sustain his unbeatable work ethic.

John loved spending time with his family and friends, making people laugh, checking out classic cars, hunting for unique pieces at auctions, watching motocross and drag racing with his children, being the number one fan at all of his children and grandchildren’s sporting events, working with his hands, and taking care of those in need. He had an impeccable memory and a knack for sharing his stories, making his memories better than any book or movie you’ve ever experienced. Above all, he loved others and made it his mission to meet as many people as he could in life and become a friend to all of them.

John was preceded in death by his dad, Robert Matthew Strunk, in 1966 and his mother, Mary Ruth Strunk, in 2014.

He is survived by the love of his life, Kim Warford Strunk of Attica, his children: Clayton Strunk of Attica, Erin Parsons (husband Mike) of Colfax, Lauren Strunk of Indianapolis, Bobbi Hewitt (husband Nathan) of Lafayette, Brooke Vermilya (husband Ryan), Samantha Cappello (husband Michael) and Cole Warford (wife Haley), his grandchildren: Michael, Jenna, Ashton, Beckam, Aaralyn, Eliana, Ezra, Ethan, Della and baby Warford, his siblings: Randy Jones (wife Tammy) of Nashville, TN, Vicki Straka (husband Tim) of Gainesville, FL and MaryJane Wireman (husband Mark) of Lafayette and his biological mother, Carolyn Jones of Gainesville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Eskenazi Burn Center at https://eskenazihealthfoundation.org/donate/ in memory of John. This burn center is the primary charity that his union (IBEW local 1393) raised funds for as it is the only burn center in Indiana for adults and is where his fellow linemen and substation crews from all over the state would be transported in the case of a serious burn accident. John’s coworkers collected thousands of dollars in donations last spring to send him to Georgia for treatment and it gave him his quality of life back, something he could never thank anyone enough for, and we know John would love to be able to do the same for others.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Soller-Baker, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909.

Services will be held at 11:30 am, Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Soller-Baker, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909 with Pastor Paul DelValley officiating.

Interment will follow at Johnson Cemetery in Stockwell.