BEDFORD – Johnny J. Fiddler, 84, passed away Friday, January 23, 2026, at Stonebridge Health Campus. Born October 8, 1941, in Mobile, Alabama to John R. and Julia Jane (Arbuckle) Fiddler. Jay and his mother traveled back to Bedford on a troop train after his father was sent overseas during WWII. He was two years old at the time.
Jay started his first year of school at Englewood, where he attended for eight years. He then went to Bedford High School, dropping out in the second semester of his senior year to take over Johnny’s Signs at the age of 17. He finished the last semester by correspondence and with the help of a dear friend, Marge Bailey. Jay graduated with his class in 1959.
Jay began working at Johnny’s Signs when he was eight years old working after school and weekends. His father taught him the trade of running the business. Jay was also a neon tube bender, which is now a lost art. Jay will be remembered not only for his professional success and high standards, but for his willingness to go above and beyond to help others. He employed four men and changed all work areas to a 35-mile radius of Bedford. Jay wanted to serve his Bedford – Lawrence County customers first and not travel to larger cities because it took his time away from Bedford.
He married his high school sweetheart, Janet Kay Flinn from Mitchell, and they were married on August 7, 1960.
Jay was active in many community activities while rearing a family of three children. He was a charter member of Bedford Jaycees at the age of 21 and served as president at 24. He spearheaded and built with the members “The Jaycee Club House,” which was only one of three in Indiana. In approximately five years the Jaycees folded and the money from the sale was donated to the Lawrence County Community Foundation. Jay was elected to The Bedford City Council and served a five-year term. He served on the board of the Bedford Boys Club, Board of Zoning Appeals, and served 50 years on the City Plan Commission, being appointed by then mayor John C. Hauck. Jay was also named the grand marshal in the 2024 Limestone Heritage Festival parade. Jay took great pride in serving and helping others in his community. He made many donations to the Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as the Lawrenceport Cemetery. He donated The Wiley House for the Lawrence County Art Museum in 2008. Jay also received the 2003 Community Service award – while turning down other nominations for various awards saying, “I am just doing what is right for Bedford and Lawrence County.” He also held a position on the board of the Indiana Sign Association for several years.
On Sunday morning February 7, 1999, Jay went forward in the First Baptist Church of Bedford. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized. He was active in the church for 22 years, serving on the board of trustees, landscape committee, assisted in children’s church, and made donations to maintain the church grounds. Jay started attending Bedford First Church of God after his son-in-law was ordained and became a minister there.
After retiring in 2018, he loved spending time in the woods, clearing land, and was always looking for a neighbor in need of help. He purchased the old Bedford Drive-In Theatre and developed Broadview North Addition. Jay loved going to classic car shows and was known to collect a “few” of his own from the good old days.
Jay is survived by his beloved wife, Janet Fiddler; his children, Robert “Bob” (Leesa) Fiddler, Malissa (Larry) Ikerd, and Michelle (Travis) Inman; grandchildren, Lana (Bo) Baker, Jake Fiddler (Taylor), Bailey (Matt) Fiddler-McCreary, Morgan (Chris) Ikerd, Maddie (Evan) Bickett, Tyler Inman, and Sydney Inman; Ten great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; sister, Patricia “Patty” Fiddler Hirons and Dr. Tim Hirons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Jesse & Callie Fiddler; sister, Helen Jean “Suzi” Fiddler Mowery and brother-in-law, Danny Joe Blackwell.
The family would like to thank caregivers: Pat Bennett,Darren Roberts, the Stonebridge staff and Southern Care Hospice for their amazing care, love and support, not only to Jay, but our entire family.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 14th at 1:00pm at Bedford First Church of God, with Pastor Travis Inman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jay’s memory to the BNL Scholarship Foundation, 420 W Street, Bedford, IN 47421, the Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services (LCCPS), P.O. Box 71, Bedford, IN. 47421, or at https://www.lawrencecountycancerpatientservices.org; or the Alzheimer’s Association (Greater Indiana Chapter), https://www.alz.org/indiana.
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