John Allen Lefdahl, 70, Indiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family April 27, 2025.
The son of Dr. James W. McColgan and Ila P. Lefdahl, he was born January 10, 1955, in Kittanning.
John was a 1973 graduate of Marion Center Area High School, 1989 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing having graduated with honors and awarded the United States Air Force Leadership Award, and a 1995 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science where he also graduated with honors and was elected class president.
During his life he was employed as an Assistant Station Manager for Citizens Ambulance, a City of Pittsburgh Paramedic, Unit Manager of Clearfield Hospital ICU and Telemetry, Certified Emergency Dept. RN and Telemetry RN at Indiana Regional Medical Center, and as a staff nurse in the Allegheny Correctional Facility.
In 1992, having been laid off, he decided to change careers and entered the Mortuary field. John opened the John A. Lefdahl Funeral Home in 1999 and by 2005 it was the most chosen funeral home in Indiana.
Besides being a hard worker, John developed many interests and hobbies. Having a keen interest in Civil War history, he was a Civil War reenactor and collector of Civil War antiques. John loved music, especially the 70’ and 80’ and was a fan of Lady Gaga. Other interests included traveling the southern states, hiking, antique collecting, reading and sports. He loved his pets and could always be seen with one of his dogs. Not many know, but he also played as a starting outfielder on a championship softball team.
John was proud of his career as a Medic and RN having successfully resuscitated many individuals and prevented many from critical situations. He was also proud of his career as a Funeral Director and being able to assist people through a difficult time.
Surviving is his son, J. Travis Lefdahl and his wife Sandy, Indiana; a daughter, Melissa Starlein and her husband Kirk, Raleigh, North Carolina; grandchildren, Sarah and Kalynne; ex-wife Martina (Senaway); half-sister, Mary Lefdahl; and very close friends: Kris, Jamie, Rick, and Scott, and his two favorite pets Dixie and Sommer.
Preceding John in death were his parents; half-sister, Ashley; special pets, Lacota, Mandy, Penny and Lexy, Sabrina, Tisha, Stonewall and his son George Pickett.
Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Wednesday at the John A Lefdahl Funeral Home. A private funeral service will take place at 11 am Thursday in the Lefdahl Chapel with Pastors Micah McMillen and Rev. Dick Motzing, officiating.
Inurnment in the Oakland Mausoleum will be private.
In lieu of flowers, John requests memorial donations be sent to either Four Footed Friends or the Indiana County Animal Shelter.
The Lefdahl family would like to offer their thanks for the excellent nursing care and medical attention provided by their nurses and physicians. Also, a special thank you to West Penn Hospital staff, 365 Hospice and Anew Home Health Care.
