John W. Pfahler

John Wester Pfahler, 93, died peacefully on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Orchard Park.



He was born May 6, 1925 in Shelby, Ohio to the late Wester R. and Mae (Swartz) Pfahler. John spent much of his childhood in West Liberty, Ohio before moving to the area and graduating Tiro High School in 1943.



John was drafted into the Army Air Force where he was stationed in Italy. He was honorably discharged and on January 8, 1946, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jean Cotsamire. They shared 71 years of marriage until her passing in 2017.



John worked as a VA Service Director and also as a personnel manager at Shunk Manufacturing for many years. He was lastly employed as a personnel manager at Baja, retiring in 1990. John was a longtime active member of the Col. Crawford Lions Club; an organization he strongly believed in and supported with his many hours of service in their bratwurst booth, various fundraisers as well as their meetings and social events. He was a member of American Legion Post 181, serving as a Past Commander and for many years, his Wednesday mornings were reserved for his euchre club at Cranberry Hills.



In addition to his hobby of playing cards, John often spent many hours working his vegetable garden and earlier in life, he ran up and down the courts as a basketball official with his brother-in-law and umpired fast pitch softball. He knew no strangers and it’s fair to say that over his 93 years, he’s bettered the lives of those he formed friendships with.



He leaves behind four children, David (Sandra) Pfahler of Galion, Sue Ellen (Howard) Nickel of Lafontaine, Indiana, Kathy (Randy) Burton of Bucyrus and Kimberly (Doug) Brown of N. Robinson; five grandchildren, Amy Vidrick, Anissa (Lamar) Haney, Andrew (Rachel) Pfahler, Steve (Kayleigh) Brown and Jenny (Ryan) Clingman; 16 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Pfahler and Anne Pfahler



John was preceded in death by three brothers, Edward, Kenneth and Edwin Pfahler and a sister-in-law, Helen Pfahler.



Calling hours will be held from 4-7 pm Tuesday, July 10 at Wise Funeral Service, where his funeral will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday with Pastor Joe Stafford officiating. His family will also gather with friends one hour prior to his funeral. Burial to follow in Biddle Cemetery.



Donations can be made payable to Col. Crawford Lions Club and will be accepted through the funeral home.