John Michael Zanetis

John Michael Zanetis, of Carmel, IN, passed away June 8, 2022 in Austin, TX.  He was born February 10, 1945 in Evansville, IN to Mary M. Erbacher and John M. Zanetis, Sr., the eldest of five brothers and three sisters.  

John attended Culver Military Academy summer and winter Schools, beginning when he was ten years old in the Woodcraft Camps and graduated in 1963.

Following Culver, John continued his undergraduate education at Indiana University, graduating from Indiana State in 1967, with a BS degree in Finance and Business.

Furthering his education at IU School of Law, Indianapolis, he obtained his JD, Juris Doctorate, in 1970. 

While completing his law degree, John worked for the Attorney General’s office where he tried condemnation suits, never losing a case! He was then admitted to the Indiana Bar Association as well as the American Bar Association and later the Tennessee Bar Association. John had a lengthy career as a sole practitioner starting in Vincennes, IN where he practiced general law. He moved to Nashville TN. Later becoming a partner at Galbreath, Schneider and Zanetis, PC. They were the first attorneys to advertise in Tennessee in 1978. Upon moving to Indiana in 1980, John practiced in Nashville, Bloomington and Carmel and became the first attorney in Indiana to give seminars on the advantages of Living Trusts. He was a wonderful and entertaining speaker and was proud of being able to pack a room. Giving upwards of six seminars a week to hundreds of people. He had thousands of clients at the time of his retirement from private practice in 2013.

In 1976, John met the love of his life, Sarah Galbreath of Nashville, TN.  They were married in 1977.  John and Sarah enjoyed traveling, scuba diving, entertaining, and John enjoyed preparing gourmet meals for his many friends and family. He was known for his excellent wine palate, hosting several wine tasting and food pairing parties. Never hosting a party without music from his extensive album collection. He was a workout fanatic beginning with running, adding bicycling and swimming to compete in multiple triathlons. John stayed active throughout his life, later taking up golf, always hoping for that hole in one-and single-digit handicap!

John and Sarah had two children, Christopher Tripp and Ashley Britt, to join his daughter from a previous marriage, Angela Lynn, who gave him his first grandchild, Beau Alexander Zanetis and just the week before his passing, his daughter Britt blessed John with his first granddaughter, Theo Ruby Zanetis, whom he was so happy to be able to meet and hold.

John was certainly one of a kind and will never be forgotten, but forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know him and his wacky sense of humor!

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Tripp Zanetis.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Sarah; daughters, Angela Lynn and Ashley Britt; grandson, Beau Alexander; granddaughter, Theo Ruby; brothers, Charles, Steve (Vicki), William, Michael (Denise), and Joe; sisters, Mary Ella Walker, Martha and Cathy Zanetis; and many nieces and nephews. Also, his “puppies” Millie and Nyx.

A Time of Remembrance will be held from 4-6 pm, Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Prairie View Golf Club House,7000 Longest Drive, Carmel, IN  46033.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Humane Association or Tunnels to Towers Foundation in John’s name.

“You’re the first, my last, my everything and the answer to all my dreams. You’re my sun, my moon, my guiding star, my kind of wonderful, that’s what you are. There’s no way, they could have made two…. You’re the first, you’re the last, my everything"               Barry White~      

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.      

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