Legacy of a Legend
By: Kathryn Fenstermacher (with Stephen McCollum)
If you’ve spent much time in Hartford City, you’ve probably seen a bicycle with the license plate “John Amos” parked outside a storefront. Maybe it was at the Pit Stop. Or was it outside of Needlers? McDonalds, Save-A-Lot, Granny’s Bloomers, Keplinger Funeral Home, the Attic Window – all of these local entities have a regular visitor in common: John Norman “Johnny” Amos, the “guy on his bike.”
Many locals have encountered Amos as he bikes around town, but few have known the extent of his outreach and service to the local community. Whether taking out the trash or dressing up as a mascot to entertain children, Amos has been helping local proprietors with odd jobs for years. Day after day, Amos gets on his bike and rides a well-worn route up and down the streets of Hartford City, ready to lend a helping hand.
It all started in the late 1990s, when Amos walked into the Attic Window thrift store and donation center, a program of the Muncie Mission, and offered to volunteer. Mel Sicks, director of Community and Family Services, was working in the shop that day, and says it was the beginning of a miraculous friendship.
“When he came into the Attic Window and we became friends, things began to turn around,” Sicks said. “Johnny’s come so far.”
Decades after their encounter at the Mission, Sicks considers Amos her “best friend.” For Amos, Sicks has been his guardian angel, his confidant, and a surrogate grandmother figure, stepping in for the beloved grandmother who was Amos’ caretaker, and whom he lost at a crucial juncture in his life.
Despite his own history of hardship and loss, Amos has chosen to devote his days to serving others. He spends most regular “working” days at Community and Family Services (CFS) doing all manner of tasks: preparing bags for the Food Bank, sweeping, taking out the trash, and retrieving mail. “He’s a busy man,” Sicks said.
“He is priceless,” wrote Julie Twibell-Glancy in a Facebook post from 2019, thanking Amos for helping CFS and crowdsourcing a bike for him while his own was in need of repair. After an exchange in the comments, Kathleen Atkinson Neal posted an update that she had brought Amos a bike. “He was so happy it almost made me cry,” she wrote. “I even got a hug!”
After spending the day at Community and Family Services, Amos will get on his new Schwinn bike and “run around,” as he describes it. He likes to drop by the AgBest and Marathon stations to visit, as well as Keplinger Funeral Home, where proprietor James “Jim” Barry has become a good friend. “Jim’s going to carry my casket,” Amos said.
Other townspeople have their own stories of how Amos’ life has touched theirs. Marilyn Snyder, a local musician, recalls how Amos stopped in “most every night” for a visit with herself and the late Robert “Bob” Thomas. They would share milkshakes and a game of cards. Amos always brought along gifts of teddy bears that he had purchased at the Mission, Snyder said.
Lori Lee is the director of Hartford City Heritage Days. When Amos asked her if he could help with the annual celebration, Lee suggested that he dress up in a mascot suit as Skye of Paw Patrol to entertain children outside of Amazing Glaze bakery. Amos was thrilled. “[He] had a wonderful time entertaining children. . . and walking around the festival area,” Lee said.
“I had a lot of fun,” Amos agreed.
Amos’ eagerness to help has forged many connections. But his excursions to reconnect with these friends on a regular basis are truly remarkable, especially in an era when personal interactions are increasingly screen-to-screen rather than face-to-face. “Johnny is a positive model to the community,” said director of Build a Better Blackford Jon Creek. “He is extraordinary in his outreach.”
One of the communities Amos has connected to most deeply is Hartford City Wesleyan Church, where he has been attending for several years. After witnessing a baptism earlier this year, Amos told Pastor John Davey that he would like to be baptized. Davey met with Amos to talk about his experience. According to Davey, Amos had previously accepted Jesus as his savior, but knew that he hadn’t been what he should or could be, and wanted to recommit his life to God. Davey baptized Amos on Easter Sunday 2022.
Amos will mark his 70th birthday this November. He has never before taken a trip outside Hartford City. A few years ago, he started saving money to take a trip to Disney World, since one of his favorite pastimes is watching Mickey Mouse cartoons. However, in the midst of planning the trip, Amos changed his mind. Sicks wonders if perhaps Amos realized what it would mean for him to travel alone, since she wouldn’t be able to accompany him due to health reasons. Who would Amos be without the people he loves, outside the place that has defined him?
Thankfully, we know exactly who he is right here, where he belongs. Amos is a stalwart of the Hartford City community. A man of few words, whose actions speak volumes. Just ask the people whose lives he has touched, and this is how they describe him: Helpful. Best friend. Extraordinary. Priceless. This is the legacy of Johnny Amos, the guy on his bike.
What a wonderful tribute to Mr. Amos. A life long HC resident. May God bless him every day.
Love this 💕 Thanks for sharing 🙂
It would be amazing if someone could take him to see mountains and the ocean. We had a local legion like him when I lived in Yorktown. I have waved at him on his bike. I’m glad to know his story
I am from HC but now live in Wells Co . Every trip to HC we typically see Johnny.
My children often say “ how do you know the bike guy “ easy response “OH EVERYONE KNOWS JOHNNY , YOU TOO SHOULD GET TO KNOW JOHNNY” it’s just that easy. What a real gem.
From my days at Val’s-Pacesetter Bank-PFP-Rite-Aid- Marsh – everyone knows and respects Johnny.
Johnny always makes me smile. He is definitely an asset to Hartford City. Thank you for the amazing story, he is much more than a man on his bike. Thank you Johnny Amos!
I love this so much!! He has always been a part of Hartford City!! He even came to Butch’s funeral and when I see him about town he always ask how I’m doing!!
I love Johnny❤He is the sweetest most positive person I know! He has the most beautiful soul❤
Such a beautiful tribute to a deserving man! Congratulations John Amos
What a wonderful tribute for a special guy.
This is absolutely beautiful ❤️
I remember Johnny cause my sister Cat Cain worked at the Mission also .meet him several times.
So good to see these positive posts about Johnny !
Maybe we should all be like Johnny and give a little more of yourself to others 🙂💖😇
Thanks Johnny for your service to my hometown and being a great light for others 💖
God bless you ❤️
All the way from KY!!!
Johnny rides by my house like a man on a mission and he is usually singing. And if I’m outside he waves and say what’s you doing brat?
Glad to see that he gets the notice he deserves. It was a great tribute ❤️
I am a newer resident of Hartford City but I have seen Johnny around town many times. He always asks me if I need any help. Just seeing his smile brightens my day. I knew that everyone liked him in town but when he ended up in the hospital the out poring of prayers on the websites was amazing. Congratulations Johnny!
Thanks for sharing his story.
Such a great story from my hometown. I have never met him but can see what a special person he is! It brought tears to my eyes just reading the post. He deserves all the credit & love from us all! So happy to see Hartford City & the community honoring him. Makes me proud to know my childhood community is so supportive!
Johnny has ALWAYS picked on me when I hired in at CFS we became really great friends. Idk who picks more him or I. BUT we always had fun. I still go to get produce from time to time & no matter where I see him at I always get a hug & a (“Are you being good when I say yes he shakes his head & says he doesnt believe me) Johnny is an ornery turd. I absolutely love him to pieces
Thank you for such a beautiful story!! We have always been proud of Johnny and very proud to call Johnny family.
Thank you Johnny for being such a support in our community! You ser a good example for all of us.
When Trinity U M Church hosted Cowboy Church, Johnny was almost always there and ready to help with anything he was needed for. Johnny is an asset to Hartford City.
I’m so pleased to read such a heartfelt story about a man from my hometown. It sure pulled on my heartstrings!! I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting Johnny but it would be an honor to do so. Thank you to all in the Hartford City community for being so receptive, considerate, and supportive of such a kind soul. So proud of the childhood community where I grew up at.
Johnny Amos is an amazing man! Every time I see him he always says hello and asks how I’m doing, also makes sure I’m staying out of trouble. Johnny has a heart of gold and there’s nothing that he wouldn’t do for you. I’m so glad I’m blessed to have a friend like Johnny 🙂
It’s always a pleasure to come in contact with Johnny. He truly is a beloved legend in the hearts of Blackford County.
Well done tribute for a deserving person!
I love this so much! Thanks for such a beautiful story about an extraordinary man. I worked downtown around the square for several years. Johnny was a daily visitor to our office. Around Halloween one year we had decided to dress up in the 50’s in our office. I went over to see if they by chance had any saddle oxfords. Johnny was there and helped me look but there was none. About a month later, after Halloween, Johnny came knocking on my door at 10:00 at night with a pair of saddle oxfords in hand. I will never forget that. In fact, I still have them. Every year in the Fall and at Christmastime, Johnny would borrow a ladder from Waters Funeral Home and get up on my roof and hang all my wreaths. He always wanted to help, then would always say, you have any cookies? He liked the homemade ones best. He is just one reason it is so nice living in a small friendly town.
Oh Johnny, he’s such a dear sweet man I’m 66 and don’t know when I didn’t know him . God Bless him
I use to work at Village Pantry back in my early 20’s. Johnny would come in every night and help with with something. Take trash put, mop the floor, he was always just so thrilled to lend a helping hand. He would sit at the booths they had there and just talk to mostly everyone that came in. Definitely a great man!! 💙
What a wonderful story to honor a great person.Johnny is a special guy,with a special mission.He loves helping people…God bless Johnny Amos.I love you kid.
Thank you for this wonderful article about Johnny! And thank you, John Amos, for showing us how to serve others! We are blessed to know you!
John is amazing and beyond sweet. This is a great write up and pictures of a beautiful human. ❤️
I used to live in H City and always seen Johnny Amos around town. He was always so nice and friendly. Now that I live in Montpelier, I still see Johnny when I go to Hartford. I now have a small Chihuahua and Johnny always comes up to see us and pet and talk to Missy. Johnny is one of the nicest guys we know. There should be a world full of people like him.
Great tribute to Jonny. I know he enjoys riding his bike around town an visiting with the many people in town. I worked with him many years ago at Hardee’s in Hartford City an enjoyed it. Thank you Johnny.
Great tribute to Johnny. I know he enjoys riding his bike around Hartford City an visiting an helping the people of Hartford City. I worked with him many years ago at Hardee’s and enjoyed it. Thank You Johnny.
I live inarion and I come to Hartford city often to shop and go to the Dr clamme office! And I always seem johnny helping other and helping me with my items that I buy he would bring them to the car ! I’m like a stranger to him ! That b came a friend very quickly ! I just want to thank him for his service to me and others and he would take out the time to listen to others ! Great job Johnny and god bless you always.
Very nice article. Thanks for sharing!
I first met Johnny when I worked at “Just Rite Food Mart”, back in 1974. He would bring in pop bottles for cash. He still stops by to visit at my home. He usually needs something fixed on his bike. I can’t count how many bikes he has had over the years . Great friend.
Love this article! Johnny is a great guy & Hartford City is blessed to have him!