John Raymond Ahlering

John Raymond Ahlering, 83, beloved husband, daddy, grampy, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, left for a sweet reunion with his late wife, Beverly Jean Ahlering, on Monday, January 29, 2024. Over the past year, he enjoyed many joyful moments with family, friends, and loved ones while fighting stage four colon cancer. John was a resident of The Village at Holiday Health Care in Evansville, and he leaves behind a legacy of cheer, great humor, and an esteemed career based on the principle that "the customer is always right." "Johnny" was born on August 12, 1940 in Evansville to the late Raymond, Jr. and Mary Ellen (Spicer) Ahlering. He loved trains, planes, and motorcycles, and as a boy often made a beeline to the trainyard after Sacred Heart mass instead of returning to school next door. He graduated from Mater Dei High School in 1958 and earned his Bachelor of Science in business and engineering at the University of Evansville. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1960 and was a Seaman aboard the USS Macdonough during the Cuban Missile Crisis. John met his wife Bev on one of his field service engineer calls at International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). They married in 1973, were active in Evansville's Corpus Christi Parish, and had three girls. They moved the family to North Carolina in 1984 through an IBM opportunity. The Ahlerings embraced their new beginnings in Charlotte and hosted international exchange students throughout the girls' middle and high school years. In 2005, John and Bev pursued their dream to live on the South Carolina coast. They enjoyed beachside living with their two dogs, Tucker and Tess, and made many memorable visits to their daughters on the West Coast and in London, England. John led various software product development efforts in his career at IBM before branching out to become the proud owner of his own successful enterprise, Coastal Technology Group. John’s personal charm as a technology sales representative to the energy and transport industries forged countless business and personal relationships. John particularly loved his time partnering with RDM Industrial Electronics, attending trade shows, and networking with like-minded, innovative businesspeople. In retirement, he continued his lifelong commitment to Rotary, and became a business coach and mentor through the Evansville SCORE program. John will be remembered by his daughters as a loving and ever-present, compassionate father, who was at times a softie, but at other times a stern curfew enforcer. His integrity, ethical conscience, solid guidance, and mischievous cheer have left a lasting impression in the lives of his family and many beyond. His six grandchildren will remember his warmth, humor, cuddles, and signature phrases like "You better shape up or ship out!" and "Let's get ready to rumble!" Surviving John are his three daughters and their husbands, Beth Anne Gibbeson and John Dominic of London, England, Joyce Marie Brake and Adam of White Salmon, Washington, and Jane Ellen Ahlering Burtt and Marshall of Davie, Florida, and his grandchildren, Albert and Finlay Gibbeson, Garrett and Beverly Brake, and Ada and Lena Burtt. John was like a brother to many, including his cousin Mike Hess, Beverly's four brothers, and the Feldhaus brothers with whom he grew up. More recently, John met Rachel Price of Carbondale, Illinois, and the two enjoyed football games, concerts, travel, and a wonderful compatibility in his final year. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 37 years, Beverly (Jung) Ahlering, in 2010. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held a 10:00 AM on Monday, February 5, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rev. Christopher Droste officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 until 5:00 PM on Sunday at Pierre Funeral Home, where there will be a memorial service conducted by the church at 4:00 PM. Friends may also visit from 9:30 AM until service time on Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Boniface Parish in Evansville or to SCORE Evansville. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

John Raymond Ahlering

August 12, 1940 - January 29, 2024