John F. Habermel, M.D.

Col. John F. Habermel, M.D., 87, passed away Monday, March 26, 2018, at home with his loved ones. He was born on July 19, 1930, in Halstead, Kansas, to the late John F. Habermel II, M.D., and Louise F. Ratterman Bridwell. John was a graduate of St. Xavier High School in Louisville. He served at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., from January 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War. He later earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville, completed an internship at the University of Pennsylvania, a residency in Internal Medicine in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and a fellowship in Nephrology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. John opened a private practice in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and came home in 1972 to establish a 20-year private practice in Internal Medicine. He served as Chief of Staff at Floyd Memorial Hospital and operated the Floyd County Board of Health for several years.

In 1980 John joined the U.S. Army Reserve. He was activated for duty in Operation Desert Storm/Shield as Commander of the 5010th Army Reserve Hospital, completing brief missions in Jordan and Japan. After Desert Storm/Shield, John remained in the Army.

Col. Habermel was proud of successfully completing EFMB training at age 53 and was awarded the expert field medical badge. He retired from the United States Army in 1995 after rising to the rank of Colonel. John was a leader of soldiers and dearly loved serving his country.

John is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Verna Stiller Habermel; children, John F. Habermel IV, Christopher Habermel, Jeffrey Habermel (Susie), and Daniel Habermel (Paul Donnells), John Bryant, Karen Hartman (Steve Prentice), Donna Arnold (Mark), and Jennifer Standiford (Danny); brother, David Habermel; sister, Jane Habermel Scharf; and grandchildren, Matthew Arnold, Michael Arnold, Joel Standiford, and Amy Standiford.

Cremation was chosen following John's wishes. He will be laid to rest at St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Cemetery in Floyds Knobs, Indiana, in a private ceremony.

The family would like to thank Joan Durbin, R.N., and Dr. Tom McKain. Donations may go to their organization, Hosparus of Southern Indiana.

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