John Andrew Nabergall, OD, 88, of Bradenton, died peacefully of natural causes at home on March 12, 2023, after a long illness (Alzheimer’s), surrounded by his loving family and caregivers.
He had been under Hospice care since October of 2022, and is now under the Lord’s care in Heaven. John was born in London, Ohio, and moved with his family to Bradenton FL when he was 13 years old. He graduated from Manatee High School (then Manatee County High) class of 1952 and obtained both his Bachelor’s Degree and Doctor of Optometry Degree from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He was proud to be an OSU Buckeye. While in high school John played trombone in the marching band at MCHS; he was a senior notable, and voted "best dressed" in his class. He was an active member of DeMolay, a Masonic youth organization.
After receiving his degrees from OSU, John joined the U.S. Air Force as a practicing Optometrist with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was stationed in Enid OK, Anchorage AK, Langley VA, Tampa FL, London UK, Fort Worth TX, and Homestead FL. John was an Air Force officer for 20 years, retiring as a Major and returned to practice Optometry in his hometown, in the Bradenton/Sarasota area.
He retired after practicing optometry for a total of 47 years. John was an active member of First Baptist Church of Sarasota, FL, and sang baritone in the church choir until he became disabled. He was a past member of Rotary International, the American Optometric Association, and the OSU Alumni Association. He was ordained as a Southern Baptist Deacon while a previous member of Bayshore Baptist Church of Bradenton.
He enjoyed playing golf in his rarely-found leisure time when he was more physically able to do such. He was a loving husband and father and an all-around GOOD person, who will be terribly missed by his friends and family.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew G. Nabergall and Twylah O. (nee Williams) Nabergall of Bradenton; his younger brother, Frederick A. Nabergall of Robbinsville, NC; his beloved granddaughter, Kelli AnnNabergall of Bradenton; his son-in-law, John (Ziggy) Luis of Bradenton and also his former wife, Marian Louise (nee Shaffer) of St. Petersburg, FL, who was the mother of his first four children.
He is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Jonelle Kathryn (nee Lasater) Nabergall, who was a fellow Air Force officer whom he met while both were stationed at MacDill AFB, FL, and five grown children, John A. Nabergall, II of Houston TX, Lee Andrea Luis, Scott Ashley (Perdetta) Nabergall, Lynn A. Nabergall Walsh and Jeffrey Kent (Traci) Nabergall all of Bradenton FL. He leaves grandsons, John A. Nabergall, III and Matthew A. Nabergall, both of Houston TX, Paul A. (Rayleen) Luis of Montgomery AL, Scott A. (Headley) Luis of Athens, GA, Bjorn A. Nabergall of Lakewood Ranch, FL, Lukas A Nabergall of Toronto,Ontario and Jacob K. Nabergall of Bradenton, FL and granddaughters, Krystal N. Bostick (Fred Miuzzo), Lucie A. Walsh Ryan (Patrick Ryan) and Katie L. Nabergall all of Bradenton; four great-grandchildren, Hannah L. Thomas, Ava D. Miuzzo and Layla M. Miuzzo all of Bradenton and Caden A. Luis of Montgomery, AL. He was previously married to Marian Louise Shaffer a fellow MCHS classmate, who later became a registered nurse.
A Visitation will be held at 3:30 PM, with Services to follow at 4:30 PM Sunday, March 19, with the Rev. Sam Rainer (Lead Pastor, West Bradenton Baptist Church) officiating at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton FL, 34209. The Burial will be with Full Military Honors, at 2 PM, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241.
Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
