Versailles veteran receives surprise 80th birthday party

(VERSAILLES, Ind.) – A surprise birthday party was held for a local veteran and well-known Versailles community member on Saturday. 

Jonathan “Jack” Demaree received a big surprise for his 80th birthday when he walked into Pollards Bowl. 

Demaree was drafted in the Army when he was 19 and served between 1964 and 1966. 

He left the military the same year he married his wife, Betty, and they have been happily together for 59 years. 

Jack owned Ripley Computer Services for 23 years, worked as a janitor for the Indiana State Police Versailles Post and also worked at UPS for 28 years before retiring. 

Demaree has also been responsible for the obituaries and videos at Stratton-Karstetter Funeral Home for the past 23 years. 

One hobby he has held for a long time is being a ham radio operator, which he has done for 56 years. It’s a hobby that allows him to talk with people from all over the world.

He’s also a member of the American Legion, NRA and American Radio Relay League. 

Jack was joined by both family and friends for the surprise party on Saturday night. Here are some photos from the party: