Obituary of John A Monfreda

John Anthony Monfreda, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed into Heaven on April 10, 2025. He is survived by his sisters Mary Jean and Beverly, his eight children Matt, Michael, Gregory, John, Marie, Roger, Paula (Sister Zita), and Keith, 18 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Sheila and grandson Stephan.

Known as Sonny in his youth, John grew up with his sisters in the Haughville neighborhood of Indianapolis. He was an adventurous boy and at age 15 left home on a trip to Hannibal, Missouri to go swimming in the Mississippi River - and was interrupted by the State Police after he tried to dive from a bridge into the water. 

Sonny graduated from Ben Davis High School in 1949 and joined the Marines serving as a radio operator. He used the GI Bill to become the first in his family to go to college. John graduated from Indiana University and married Sheila Mears on August 31, 1957. 

After living in different houses around Indianapolis John built a family home in Camby on the southwest side of the city. As the family grew, he held various jobs - including selling encyclopedias - before working as a systems engineer for Western Electric. He commuted from Camby to the plant on Shadeland Avenue, raising eight children and enjoying annual vacations to Dietz Lake with them, and pheasant hunting just for himself. He wanted his sons to learn some skilled trades so he bought a vacant lot on the same block they lived on and began building a house. The process took five years and taught his sons some valuable skills that they still use today - three of them are master plumbers. 

With eight kids in the house and one income John was resourceful in fixing what he had and building what was needed. Many Saturday mornings were spent on fixing one of the cars, adding something to the house, or lining up six boys for buzz cuts in the basement with his clippers. Driving vacations were an annual event and there were memorable trips to California, Colorado, Florida, and Virginia. 

In 1982, John purchased 30 acres in Cloverdale, Indiana and was looking forward to building a new family house when the Western Electric plant closed. In 1984 he and Sheila moved with the three youngest children to Shreveport, Louisiana and  he retired there at 55 as a senior engineer. John enjoyed the Sportsman's Paradise, buying a boat for fishing and skiing and taking up cycling. 

In 1989 he planned a bicycle trip from Shreveport to Indianapolis travelling 1000 miles over 11 days with his son John. They traveled the back roads through Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana carrying nothing but a tent, sleeping bags and basic supplies with them on their bicycles.  John and John encountered everything you can imagine along the way and met so many wonderful people.

After the nest was empty John and Sheila moved back to Indianapolis in 1994. John began planning the ultimate retirement house - first at Patoka Lake in Southern Indiana and then at Heritage Lake west of Danville. In following years, John and Sheila moved often, searching for the best location - from rentals to a log cabin to a custom built home in a new subdivision in Avon. 

John was a devoted Catholic his entire life. In his youth he belonged to the Catholic Youth Organization where he met his wife Sheila. While raising his young family, John was active in the St. Ann's parish, building the church's altar and lectern and sending the kids to St. Ann’s Catholic School. After his daughter Paula took her vows to become Sister Zita he also was active in supporting the Missionaries of Charity.

John also enjoyed nature his entire life and passed this on to his children. He would go swimming in local creeks and lakes, grow tomatoes and zucchini, and camp in the backyard. He and Sheila spent some years living with Marie on her horse farm in Brownsburg helping out with whatever was needed and enjoying the outdoors. While living in Avon He enjoyed bird watching, filling the bird feeder and keeping track of the many birds he would see through his binoculars. And even a little fishing in the subdivision’s retention pond. 

John was a sharp card player with a competitive streak - Euchre with the family and Pinochle with friends - and was known for his famous quote “I lost because you misplayed.” Golf was a favorite hobby and for many years he would keep a set of clubs in the trunk of the car, just in case he had a chance to catch 9 holes. In the winter he would perfect his putting stance on the living room carpet. 

After his ability to golf declined John remained active, bicycling around the places he lived. While living in Avon, and in his 80s, he would ride six miles round trip to the grocery stores to pick up a few things. And he remained an avid card player, dealing various games with Sheila after dinner. He was a hard man to beat. 

After Sheila’s passing in 2022 John sold their current house and moved into a senior living facility. He still enjoyed a bit of gardening with a small tomato plant secured to a board hanging out of his fourth story window! 

The seeds of faith and family that John planted continue to grow for the generations that follow. He will be missed and remembered fondly in our hearts. 

Funeral mass will be held on April 22 at 11:00 am at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church - 5301 W 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 4622. John and Sheila will rest in peace at West Ridge Park Cemetery - 9295 W 21st St, Indianapolis, IN 46234