John J. Stober

John Stober was born on January 14 in Louisville, Ky. during the Great Flood of 1937. His mother, Mary, was transported by boat to the hospital to deliver John, the youngest of eight children. His place as the youngest child put no damper on his success and his place in the world. Despite difficulties in childhood and young adulthood, he was a wonderful example of using faith to overcome adversity. At the age of ten, after the death of his mother, he moved to Akron, Ohio to be raised by his sister, Roberta Ballard. He attended St. Paul’s Elementary School and St. Vincent High School where he graduated in 1956. He played football for the Irish and had many friends. He found his love for golf while caddying at Portage Country Club. He also worked at a lumber yard and Iacommini’s Restaurant.

After high school, he attended The University of Akron and he joined the US Army Reserves where he served as a cook. He found employment with the General Tire & Rubber Company in their Quality Control Department in 1960. He continued to work for GenCorp and Omnova Solutions until his retirement in 1999. He demonstrated hard work and dedication to the company and to his many coworkers.

John found joy in his life with his wife, Mary Jo and his children. He was a great father and a devoted husband of 53 years. John was a role model for patience, kindness, and the desire to help others. He was always hard at work, and there wasn’t anything that he couldn’t fix or build. He had a passion for the beach and enjoyed many vacations there. He also enjoyed hosting his annual Christmas party and organizing a Golf League. He was involved with the Mogadore Jaycees and the Mogadore Lions Club, where he contributed countless hours improving Lions Park and organizing the annual Horse Show. He was also very involved at St. Matthews Parish where he loved volunteering in the kitchen.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1998, John fought a good fight. He remained determined and positive, always figuring out a way to remain mobile and upbeat, even when his body was failing. Just as he used his skills to help others during his lifetime, with his ingenuity, he built assistive devices to help himself throughout increasingly challenging years. He never complained even when, by the day, his body was failing him. Throughout these difficult years, he was constantly supported by his wife, Mary Jo, who cared for him at home for years, then visited him daily as he spent his final days at the Village at St. Edward Nursing Home. He was also supported by his children, who never let him forget that they were in this together. He was visited by many friends and family, who supported him to the end.

He led a truly extraordinary life and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. John could be best described as a “go giver” to all! Throughout his life, he maintained a strong faith and constant trust in God. John passed on Monday, September 15, 2014.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Stober; his brothers, Thomas Stober and Francis Stober; his sisters, Doris Stober Kuhn and Ruth Stober Spagnolo. John is survived by his wife, Mary Jo (Miller) Stober; sisters, Roberta (Allen) Ballard, Mary Rose (Ralph) Tabellion; and brother, Marvin (Martha) Stober; his daughters, Julianne (Greg) VanHoose, Jeannine (Thomas) Washer, Jennifer (Scott) Loomis and Janelle (Weston) Bush; son, John Timothy (Elizabeth) Stober; grandchildren, Taylor, Lauren and Lindsey VanHoose; Annika, Kailey and Alex Washer; Ian and Kyle Stober; and Mitchell, Gwyneth and Carson Bush. John is also survived by many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews who supported him over the years. He will also be missed by many close friends. The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Altercare in Brimfield and the Village at St. Edward for all the care and love they gave John over this past year.

The family will receive friends Thursday, September 18 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Avenue (Route 532), MOGADORE, Ohio 44260. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, September 19 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2580 Berne Street, Akron, Ohio 44312, with Father Michael Williamson presiding. All are welcome to attend. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mogadore Lions Club 300 in honor of John Stober.