Other survivors include, six children, Joan (Jim) Benya of Marblehead, Oh; Jeff (Dianne) Steinmetz of Saline, Mich; Judy (Alec) Hagerty of Elyria, Oh; Jan (Timothy) Gase of Pickerington, Oh; June (Eric) Murnieks of Dublin, Oh; Jill (Phillip) Clouse of Medina, Oh; 10 grandchildren, Cathy and Jenny Steinmetz, Renee and Jeanette Hagerty, Michael and Stephanie Gase, Andy Murnieks, Preston, Cameron and Madeline Clouse; a brother, Charles (Jan) Steinmetz of Greensboro, N.C.; and two sisters, JoAnn (Gerald) Bouillon of Tiffin, and Dorothy Gabel of Bellbrook, Oh.
He is preceded in death by two brothers, Wilfred and Donald Steinmetz, and a sister, Peg Saalman.
John was employed at General Electric in Tiffin and was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Farm Bureau. He cherished his time with his family and grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoyed many years of traveling, being outdoors, boating, water skiing and snow skiing. John enjoyed using his creative thinking while working on outside projects.
A Celebration of John’s life with family and friends will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Bubby’s Restaurant, 7889 W. CR 10, New Riegel.
The funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2011 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Gary Walters officiating. The rosary will be recited 20 minutes prior to the Mass at the church.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Hospice Care, St. Mary Catholic Church, or Spina Bifida Association in care of Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113.