John Ramon Castaneda

John Ramon Castaneda, 72, of Goshen, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Born on June 23, 1953, in Columbia City, Indiana, to Ignacio and Maria Cleotilda Hernandez Castaneda, John married September Ray on April 24, 1977, in Millersburg, Indiana. He spent his career as a chef, working at many restaurants throughout his life and sharing his deep passion for cooking and baking. He spent 13 years at the Elkhart Moose and more than 21 years at Crimaldi’s. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, baking cookies, attending estate sales, and photography, particularly capturing the beauty of nature. He was also the winner of the Elkhart Truth Mystery Burger Contest.

John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Danny Castaneda and José Castaneda; sister Maria Castaneda; and brothers-in-law Don Gouker and Gale Kidd.

He is survived by his wife, September; son, Shawn (Jennifer) Castaneda; granddaughter, Ryleigh Castaneda; sisters, Maria G. Castaneda, Veronica Gouker, Chelo Kidd, and Menerva (Art) Rosales; and brothers, John (Dee) Espinoza, Rudy Espinoza, and Joe Espinoza.