FAYETTE— John Richard Winzeler was born October 21, 1932 in Wauseon, Ohio to John Peter and Florence (Biddle) Winzeler.
He passed away November 30, 2024 at the age of 92. He was a fifth generation American from Switzerland. After the death of his father in 1937, his mother married Albert Wagner.
He attended Franklin and Wauseon Elementary schools. He was active in 4-H and FFA, graduating from Archbold High School in 1950 as the senior class president. John farmed in Franklin township the following two summers, then enlisted in the U. S Air Force in late 1951.
John was a gunner on B26 light bombers in the Korean conflict. He and his air crew were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic actions against invading Chinese and North Korean forces.
John was also awarded the Air Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters) and numerous meritorious citations. He completed 37 combat missions over Korea.
Staff Sergeant Winzeler continued serving at Smith Hill, Kansas (B29 bomber) and completed military service at Lockbourne AFB, Columbus, Ohio (KC 97 refueler) in 1955.
John graduated from The Ohio State University in 1958. Employed as a teacher and coach, he became the youngest principal in the Dayton public school system.
As a physical education teacher and principal in Dayton, he organized unique and challenging adventures for his students.
He initiated President Kennedy’s Head Start program and developed better ways to teach students at every opportunity. In 1966, he returned to NW Ohio as the Fulton County Elementary Supervisor.
In late 1968, John began his more than 45 years of service as an administrator in the Fayette school system. John encouraged his teachers and students to engage in reading for pleasure and knowledge.
His students fondly recall the annual Newberry Junior Great Books reading competitions. Further, he personally taught many math classes and was constantly organizing gymnasium, outdoor recess and after school athletic competitions.
John believed in discipline in the school classroom and many of his students remember his enthusiastic techniques for improvement.
As a coach of basketball and baseball, John emphasized fundamentals and fitness for his countless boy and girl athletic teams. John was an avid softball player, umpire and horseshoe pitcher, where he won many county area competitions.
He developed a passion for woodworking, collecting art, reading poetry and collecting Irish and Americana music.
John’s winter fireplace required hours of chainsaw time in the woods, resulting in months of enjoyment where he could read, view television and occasionally share thoughts of life.
His woodshop and garden always resulted in unique creations. His embellished storytelling, watching grandchildren’s’ exploits and listening to WJR broadcasts rounded out his entertainment.
On June 6th, 1954 John married Eunice J. Traut and they recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. They enjoyed several extended visits to New York City, attending many Broadway theatrical productions.
Together they traveled to many European and Asian countries for pleasure and adventure. John made international trips to China and Poland as a representative of the Heifer International (global livestock development) program.
John lived a life of service with 20 years on the County Board for the Mentally Handicapped, 12 years with QUADCO, 20 years on the Republican Party Central Committee, and numerous years as a Red Cross Blood Donor, Senior Center driver, Habitat for Humanity Selection and County Crime Stopper Committees.
John was elected as Franklin township clerk for nearly four decades. He was selected Fayette Athletic Booster of the year (2001), Fayette Citizen of the Year (2004) and was a member in both American Legion Post 143 (Fayette) and VFW Post 7424 (Wauseon).
He is survived by his wife Eunice and their children. John was preceded in death by his parents, stepbrother George Wagner and sister Mary (Winzeler) Mungons.
Descendant children and grandchildren: Jan (Mark) Sundquist, Kim (Marsha) Winzeler, Lin (Lawson) Veasey and Joe (Jamie) Winzeler. Grandchilden: Trenna (Frank) Seilheimer, Eric (Naomi) Sundquist; Colleen (John) Sarantakis, Casey (Maggie) Winzeler; Jackson (Kaleigh) Veasey, Elizabeth, Wyatt, Virginia and Laurellei Veasey; Tyler, Austin and Aubree Winzeler. Great Grandchildren: Logan and Liam Sundquist; Quinn and Oliver Seilheimer; Kira and Anthony Sarantakis; Carter, Colby and Margo Winzeler; Anne Merritt Veasey.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 3-7 p.m. at the Eagle-Marry Funeral Home, Fayette. A memorial service for John presided by Rev. Pamela Graf Short will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, December 7, at 11:00 a.m. Private burial with military honors will take place in Smith Cemetery in Franklin Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s honor are suggested to benefit the Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Friends can express sympathies to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Eagle-Marry Funeral Home, Fayette.
To send flowers to the family of John, please visit our floral store.
