John Michael Quinn

U. S. Air Force Captain (Ret.) John Michael Quinn was born in Providence, Rhode Island on November 26, 1932, the son of John C. and Bridget (Kelly) Quinn. His mother was born in Roscommon, Ireland and his father’s family was also from Ireland, so John was a proud 100% Irishman! John passed away at Witham Hospital in Lebanon, Indiana on May 9, 2025, as the result of a fall and breaking his hip.

At the age of 17 John joined the Rhode Island National Guard and then the United States Air Force. After basic training The Korean War broke out and he was sent to Korea. He spent 17 months manning a radar site in the mountains of South Korea. His 18th birthday was spent evacuating from Pyongyang, North Korea.

Upon returning to the United States, he was stationed at Westover Air Force Base in Western Massachusetts. He rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant and was recommended to attend the Officer Candidate School from which he graduated in 1958.

John married Lois Trudeau Holmes in 1955 (later divorced) and they raised her three children along with five of their own. As a newly commissioned Lieutenant John was stationed at the U2 Base in Del Rio, Texas for 3 years. Following that assignment he served in Boston and then back to Westover. He also served a tour of duty in King Salmon, Alaska, and was there for the 9.1 earthquake that struck Anchorage on Good Friday, 1964.

John retired from the Air Force after a service of twenty years. For a few years he worked as an insurance representative and then decided to follow a career in his life-long interest of singing and songwriting. He produced several records and enjoyed performing on radio and television.

Following a business trip to Los Angeles he met his future wife, Arlene Crouch Landon, on a blind date. They married in 1996, settling in the San Fernando Valley and added her three children to their blended family. Over the years they enjoyed taking many trips around California and throughout the United States. John began his 20-year career in film and television production and on-screen talent and joined the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG/AFTRA).

In 2004 he retired from his SAG/AFTRA career. To be near family they moved from the San Fernando Valley in California and bought a home in Lebanon, Indiana and bought a condo in Venice, Florida. John was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lebanon and Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice. He had friends at both the First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon and the Venice Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Korea War Veterans Association, the National American Legion and the Military Officers Association of America. He was a regular contributor of articles to the Korea War Veteran’s Magazine.

John enjoyed spending time with family, playing golf with his Lebanon buddies at the former Fairways Golf Course and with family in Florida. He enjoyed singing karaoke with family in Florida. He was active in life-story writing groups in California, Lebanon and Venice. His activities included those offered by the Boone County Senior Services, especially their annual Senior Olympics. He was the Torchbearer Captain for their 2016 Olympics and was honored with a ride in the Lebanon Fourth of July Parade. John was a friend to many and dearly loved by his family.

He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Arlene and his eleven children and stepchildren: Gregory Holmes, William Holmes (Gloria) and Cynthia Holmes, Joan (Daniel) Eastman, John M. Quinn, Jr., Edward (Lea) Quinn, Elizabeth (Eric Burt) Quinn, Mary Rachel Quinn, Catherine Felts, Carolyn (Lori White) Landon, and the Rev. Dr. Michael E. Landon; plus 26 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by a younger brother, Dennis (Diane) Quinn, niece Kelly Quinn and nephews James (Melissa) Quinn and Robert Quinn. He was predeceased by his parents and younger brother Jerome R. Quinn and step-daughter-in law Susan Holmes and step-son-in law Robert Felts.

Graveside services with Military Rites will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lebanon. Myers Mortuary has been entrusted with his arrangements.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Boone County Senior Services, Inc. (BCSSI), 515 Crown Pointe Drive #8335, Lebanon, IN 46502.