John J. Baughman

John was born May 31, 1925 to Blanche (Coker) Baughman and Cavins Baughman in Evansville. He was raised in Detroit, Mich.

John enrolled at DePauw University in Greencastle in 1942. A member of those referred to as “the Greatest Generation,” he served in the United States Army as a member of the 44th Infantry Division from 1943-45. He received the Order of the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.

While he was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Paris in 1951, John revisited the Alsace battlefield where he had fought. In the early months of 2020, John responded to France’s request that he qualify to receive its highest honor, the Legion of Honour. This award is anticipated to be imminently received.

Being proud of his military service, John attended many reunions of the 44th and was a charter member and supporter of the National World War II Museum. In October 2016 he was awarded a flight to Washington D.C. by the Honor Flight program. This two-day trip included special recognition for wartime service at an evening banquet, and visits to many sites including the WWII Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

John graduated Phi Beta Kappa from DePauw University in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He studied French history at Harvard, where he received his master’s degree. He received his Ph.D. in European history from the University of Michigan in 1953.

John returned to Greencastle in 1953 and taught European history at DePauw for 37 years, retiring in 1990. During his tenure, he chaired the history department, was appointed university historian, awarded the John Clark Ridpath Professorship, served as university marshal and was visiting professor for two years with College Year in Athens, Greece.

After his retirement and virtually until his death, many of his former students were frequent visitors in person, by phone and through correspondence.

John was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at DePauw and was recently honored and featured in his fraternity’s national publication, The Palm.

John was an active and contributing member of our local community. He was a Boy Scout volunteer serving as Troop 90 committee chair, Putnam County district chair and Wabash Valley Executive Committee member. He received the District Award of Merit and attended many camporees, summer camps and troop activities. He was a member of the Greencastle Kiwanis Club, having served on its board of directors. He supported the Putnam County Museum and served on many committees and executive boards, including president of the Historic Preservation Society of Putnam County from 1977-78 and president of the Indiana United Methodist Historical Society from 2005-08. John stayed politically informed regarding local, state and national issues. He served for decades in various capacities as an election poll worker during Greencastle city and Putnam County elections.

He was a genealogist, having completed a detailed account of the Baughman family tree. He was an avid reader with an extensive library. He is the author of many publications, including “Our Past, Their Present: Historical Essays on Putnam County, Indiana,” “The French Banquet Campaign of 1847–1848,” “My Sixty-Eight Days in Combat Against the Armies of the Third German Reich” and “DePauw University: A Pictorial History.”

John married Elizabeth “Betty” Bowden in 1961, and they shared 45 years of marriage before she preceded him in death in 2006. Their only child, John Cavins Baughman, passed from this life in 2008.

John Joseph Baughman was without siblings. He is survived by several distant cousins, whom he adored, together with numerous friends.

Since 2015, John lived in a spacious apartment on the third floor of the Asbury Towers retirement community in Greencastle. During his stay, he received professional assistance and care from well-trained staff members who became vital and important to him, both as caregivers and friends.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8 at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church in Greencastle, where he was a member, with Pastor Bryon Langdoc officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the time of service.

Due to the COVID-19, we encourage visitors to maintain a six-foot distance as they walk through the visitation line and to maintain this distance as they are seated for the service. Wearing masks is advised. If you have been sick or recently exposed to the virus, please do not come.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be sent to the Asbury Towers Legacy Fund, Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, DePauw University, the Putnam County Public Library and/or the Putnam County Museum.

Memories may be shared at www.Hopkins-Rector.com.