John T. Koehl

With profound grief, we announce the passing of John T. Koehl on September 24, 2024. 

John was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, to Irene Ann Scheatzle and William Joseph Koehl on September 2nd, 1945. He was a third child. The oldest sibling being Bill, then Judy, John T., Patrick and a little later step- brother Wayne. The stories they would tell, you could infer by the uproarious laughter that they all had quite the time growing up.

Throughout elementary and most of high school, John attended St Vincent’s and was regarded as wild and carefree by the Sisters, so much so, that he graduated from Buchtel High in 1965. He was a jokester and had a hilarious sense of humor. As an early adolescent, John was visiting his cousins, Larry and Michael Buehler. He was introduced to their neighbor, Janice Kay, and he found his future. He was smitten by Jan and the feeling was mutual. John and Jan married and were inseparable for all 58 years of their loving marriage. They were known to bicker while holding hands and laugh together until it was hard to breathe. She died in March, John holding her hands while she peacefully slipped away. 

After high school and prior to the wedding, his soon to be father-in-law got him a summer job with the Railroad that lasted over 41 years. He loved being a brakeman/conductor.

He served several years as a General Chairman for the United Transportation Union, and truly enjoyed representing his men. He fought against unfair labor practices, ensured a fair process and made sure his Brothers in the UTU got the best outcomes possible. After retirement, he would always say, “I had the best job,” and he meant it.

For the last year, their only child Kristin and husband Dominic moved back to Ohio to care for her parents, ensuring that they could stay in their home for the rest of their lives. Dominic cared for them as his own and they loved him as a son. Even though John’s memory slipped sometimes, he remained funny, gentle, generous and appreciative. He went out of his way to make sure we, and the grandchildren, Clover and Kat McKenna, were okay and that we knew we were deeply loved and cared for.

John told Kristin on Monday he was dreaming of Jan, that they weren’t really doing anything he just knew she was in his dreams. On Tuesday, John unexpectedly and peacefully slipped away in his sleep. We think he died of a broken heart.

John was preceded in death by his wife Janice Koehl, brothers Bill Koehl and Wayne Stutzman. He is survived by daughter Kristin (Dominic), grandchildren Clover and Kat McKenna, sister Judy Franjesh (John), baby brother Pat (Patty) and sister in law, Joy Hill and nieces and nephews Matt Koehl, Tracy Kessler, Scott Franjesh, Sean Franjesh, Brandon Koehl, Jennifer Uphues, Kelly Stutzman

The family is eternally grateful to the Traditions Hospice Team, especially Diana, Kim, Dawn and Dr. Mathew Taylor, Jan and John’s physician, for making sure John and Jan received the care he needed up until the very end. 

Family and friends will be received Sunday, September 29th from 1 to 3 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 3553 Northdale St. NW, Uniontown, OH 44685. Private burial will be held at Glendale Cemetery.