John Himler

John A. Himler, 75, of Bucyrus, died Monday, May 23, 2011 at his residence following a brief battle with cancer.

He was born April 15, 1936 in Bucyrus to the late Erma Gertrude (Shull) Himler and Harold John Himler. He was married September 6, 1956 to Susan Miller who also preceded him in death on November 19, 1957.

John graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1954 and attended both The Ohio State University and Tiffin University. He worked many years with his father in the Smooth Kool Dairy. He then attended Ohio Northern University, graduating in 1966 with a degree in Education. He was a teacher and coach for seven years at Allen East Local Schools near Lima and at Bucyrus City Schools for twenty-three years retiring June 1995.

Here in Bucyrus, he initiated the Middle School Invitational Track Meet and was a Meet Manager for twenty years. John was also Meet Manager for many District and Regional track meets that were held in Bucyrus. He coached football and basketball and was a founding member of the Athletic Council for the Bucyrus City Schools. He was the Bucyrus Middle School Athletic Director for eleven years and served as BHS football announcer and the voice of the BHS Marching Redmen Band for many years.

John was a longtime OSU fan and for many years attended all home football games. In addition, John and friends hosted the Ohio State University Alumni Band after their performances at numerous Bratwurst Festivals. John was an avid golfer and longtime member of Bucyrus Country Club where he served as secretary/treasurer for eighteen years and was tournament manager for the Bratwurst Festival Golf Tournaments for almost twenty years. He was a member of the Bucyrus Masonic Lodge #139 F&AM, Bucyrus Shrine Club, and Aladdin Temple Shrine. He was also a member of the Bucyrus Elks Lodge #156, where he was named Elk of the Year in 2001. He was a lifetime member of Good Hope Lutheran Church.

John enjoyed playing cards and socializing with his friends in the AHPC. For the past thirteen years, John enjoyed spending the winters in Sebring, Florida where he was a member of Harder Hall Golf Club. While there, he enjoyed golfing with his friends and coordinating the men's league, as well as working for the Harder Hall Women's Invitational Golf Tournament as a starter.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Joyce (Welge) Himler whom he married June 12, 1971; three daughters, Allison (Lon) McKeehen of Bucyrus, Pamela (John) Givens of Cambridge, Ohio, and Patricia Eicher of Bucyrus; five grandchildren, Chris Eicher of Bucyrus, Shannon McKeehen of Bowling Green, Ohio, Erica McKeehen of Chicago, Illinois, Janelle and Michael Givens of Cambridge, Ohio. In addition, John leaves many good friends in Bucyrus and Sebring.

His family will receive friends for a memorial gathering from 2 – 4 & 6 – 8 PM Friday, May 27 at Wise Funeral Service. Masonic Services will be held that evening at 5:45 PM. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at Good Hope Lutheran Church with Pastor Dave Bliss officiating and burial of cremated remains will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be given to HomeCare Matters; Good Hope Lutheran Church or Shriners Hospitals for Children through the funeral home.



Visitation:

2 - 4 & 6 - 8 PM Friday

Wise Funeral Service



Service:

11:00 AM Sat., May 28

Good Hope Lutheran Church



Cemetery:

Oakwood Cemetery