John Garriety Bies, D.D.S. (“Jack”), age 85, of Jasper, Indiana, passed away at 8:00pm, Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Northwood Retirement Community in Jasper surrounded by loved ones. Jack was born in Montgomery, Indiana on July 12, 1931 to Garriety and Leona (Butcher) Bies. Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucille Caroline (Gutgsell) Bies, with whom he was joined in holy matrimony at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper, on February 7, 1953. He was also preceded in death by his parents and sister, Martha Lee Fox.
Jack grew up in Washington, Indiana, attended Xavier University, where he played baseball. He subsequently joined the U.S. Navy serving as a radiology technician in the port of Norfolk, VA. He returned to Indiana University for dental training, eventually settling back in Lucy’s hometown of Jasper to raise his family. For Jack, dentistry was a public health calling, and he took pride in his profession and keeping up with the latest research.
Jack is survived by: his son John Bies (Evansville, Indiana); son Doug Bies and his wife, Cindi Bies (Jasper); daughter Christine and her husband, Todd Curtis (Woodstock, Illinois); son Kurt Bies (Jasper); and daughter Angela Bies and her husband Toby Egan (Potomac, Maryland); fifteen grandchildren; and four great-children. Jack felt very fortunate to marry into Lucy’s large and loving family, which combined with his grandchildren brought him great happiness.
Jack enjoyed golf, loved dogs, and adored baseball, coaching Pony and Little League for many years. He long tended a backyard garden, holding a running debate over the merits of the beefsteak versus the big boy tomato. He also raised roses, everyday in season bringing Lucy in a new rose when he came home for lunch. A devout Catholic, Jack attended Mass daily at St. Joseph’s Church in Jasper and volunteered for Perpetual Adoration. Jack possessed an impishly dry sense of humor, and sported a daily crossword puzzle (in ink!) habit. A voracious reader and student of current events, he was always game to debate politics. His quick wit and tenderness somehow went hand-in-hand; he will be sorely missed.
A Memorial Mass for Jack Bies will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2017, in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, with entombment in Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum to follow at a later date. The American Legion Post #147 will conduct Military Rites.
Friends may visit together from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Mass time in St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or to Good Samaritan Society – Northwood Retirement Community, Jasper, Indiana. Condolences may be made atwww.becherkluesner.com. Jack’s family is deeply grateful to his physician, Marc Campbell, the loving staff at Good Samaritan Nursing home, and the many family and friends who faithfully visited him and Lucy at Good Sam over the years.
