John R. Clime

Character is what you are when you think no one is looking, and the character by which John R. Clime lived his life was admirable to all. On Sunday, January 23, 2022, John passed peacefully following an extended illness and surrounded by his family at the OSU Wexner Medical Center.



He was born December 19, 1950 in Bucyrus to the late Carl E. and Sara C. (Corbet) Clime. John was a 1968 graduate of Wynford High School where he played basketball and was a gifted trumpet player and founded the Royal Brass band. John went on to graduate from Tiffin University in 1972, where he was a member of the Sigma Omega Sigma and served as Class President for three years. In June of 1972, he married Beth Ann Woodward who died unexpectedly in 1997.



John learned the value of hard work at an early age by helping his dad and brother on the family farm. In April of 1972, he was hired by Peoples Savings and Loan as a Loan and Security Officer. In 1984, he was appointed to the People Saving and Loan Board of Directors and in 1996, he became CEO until retiring in 2012. He was currently serving as Chairman of the Board. April of 2022 John would have celebrated 50 years of service at Peoples Savings and Loan. Through all of John’s years in the banking business, he mostly enjoyed helping others make their dreams come true through home ownership and reaching their financial goals.



In May of 2001 John married Mary L. (Loertscher) Sunderman who survives.

John was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church where he served on various church committees and sang in the choir. He was a member of the Bucyrus Jaycees and served as a Chapter President; President of the Crawford County Horse Council; 4-H Horse Club Advisor; Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce and was named as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Young Men of Ohio.



Of all the things John did, his greatest passion was time spent in Freemasonry and the values the Masonic Organization stood for. His proudest accomplishment was serving as Grand Commander of Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio. He served as a DeMolay Dad Advisor; member of the Bucyrus Lodge No 139, serving as Worshipful Master; Chapter High Priest; Council Illustrious Master; Shrine, serving as a local President; Marion Commandery No 36, Eminent Commander; Knight of the York Cross of Honor; Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest; Knight Companion of the Temple; Ohio College SRICF; Knight Companion Charlemagne Conclave; Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the USA; ASSR Valley of Columbus; AMD George Fike Council PSM; AMD Mohican Council PSM. He was a member of the York Rite Sovereign College, Red Cross of Constantine. John was proud to be 32 degree York Rite Mason. John was the Ohio Rep. to George Washington Masonic Temple in Washington, DC; Trustee and Administrator of both the Charles F., High Foundation and Grace High Washburn Trust; and a past treasurer of Western Reserve Ohio Masonic Home.



John had a great love of horses and watching his children show at the County and State level horse shows. He formerly owned the Red Rose boarding facility. John cherished time spent with his family, going to sporting events, and family gatherings, and especially his vacation time with family. Some of his favorite spots were Myrtle Beach, Saratoga Springs NY and San Diego. After college, John played in the Sounds of Brass (a Christian trumpet trio). He enjoyed watching OSU football and basketball and no matter what the outcome, he and close friend, Tom Beal would talk on the phone to recap the entire game. He emceed many events over the years and most recently his 50-year class reunion. You could always count on John for a good joke and once you heard that recognizable laugh, you knew he was near. He enjoyed playing euchre in the Couples Card Club and for relaxation, he could be found in front of the TV watching episodes of Gunsmoke (over and over). John also appreciated the joy and comfort his dog, Gunnar, provided over the past couple years.



John is survived by wife Mary; children, Amanda Estridge, Natalie (Dr. Ryan) Wagner, Joseph (Danielle) Clime, Michael (Marla) Sunderman and Penny (Alan) Burns; grandchildren, Austin and Myli Estridge, Hazely and Avelina Wagner, Coby, Cavan and Callan Clime and Courtney, Travis and Dillon Boyd; great grandchildren, Carson, Jordyn, Atleigh and Bryson; sister, Karen (Richard) Estridge; brothers-n-law, David Gebhardt and Steve Woodward; sisters-in-law, Susan Clime and Sue (James) Haley as well as many nieces and nephews.



Along with his parents and first wife, Beth, John is joined in Heaven with his sister, Marianne Gebhardt; brother, Bill Clime; grandson, Caysen Clime and sister-in-law, Teresa Woodward.



At this time, services for John will be private and a public Celebration of Life Service will be held for friends and family at a later date. If desired, donations can be made payable to either Bucyrus Masonic Lodge or Mt. Zion UMC. These gifts will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service. Memories and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute page.