GARY – John Betjemann, 70, the former president and chief executive officer of Methodist Hospitals, has died. He was a hospital executive for nearly 40 years. Mr. Betjemann died of complications of Parkinson’s disease.

            Mr. Betjemann came to Northwest Indiana in 1980 after being named president and CEO of Methodist Hospitals. Before that, he held leadership positions at hospitals in Boston, Chicago and Cleveland. He graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota and received his graduate degree in hospital administration from the University of Chicago.

            Mr. Betjemann is survived by his wife of 45 years, Celeste Betjemann; three children, Julia (Edward) O’Brien, Daniel (Jessica) Betjemann, and Rebecca Betjemann; four granddaughters; a sister and two brothers.

            He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso for 30 years. Visitation will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Monticello Park Drive, Valparaiso, at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, followed by a memorial and burial service at 11 a.m.