John C. Terakedis

John C. Terakedis, age 89, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, in Park Village Health Care Center, Dover.

Born Feb. 8, 1923, in Uhrichsville, he was a son of the late Steve and Anna Mary Downing Terakedis. John graduated from Uhrichsville High School in 1941, and went on to serve honorably with the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations during the Second World War. While in the Army, on Jun. 8, 1943, John married his sweetheart, the former Kathryn Wenger, and though separated by the war, the two stayed close through letters and photographs. Following his service time, John returned to Uhrichsville and was employed in the clay plants there. A few years later, he was given the opportunity to work for and manage the Siff's Shoe Store in Dover where he and his young family then moved. John became an agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and retired from there in 1978 as a sales manager.

John was a devoted family man, and a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dover. He was involved with the Dover Tornado Club, serving as president, and volunteered as a timekeeper at Dover track meets. He took great interest in the young people of the community. Additionally, John belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks Club, and Loyal Order of Moose, all of Dover, as well as the American-Italian Club.

Survivors include his two sons, John (Sharon) Terakedis of Upper Arlington, and Kirby (Marjorie) Terakedis of Northville, MI; his six grandchildren, Troy, Leigh Ann, Lauren, Matthew (Betsy), David (Amber) and KayDee (Jeremy); his four great-grandchildren, Kara, Lauren, Drew and Nathan; his sister, Carolyn (John) Williams of North Canton; his two brothers, Fred (Sissy) Terakedis of Uhrichsville, and Steve (Judy) Terakedis of North Olmsted; several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his beloved Kathryn on Sep. 22, 2004; four sisters and three brothers.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 9:30 10:30 a.m. A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Donald L. Rice, Jr., will follow at 10:30. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park. After the committal, there will be a luncheon in Luther Hall of Grace Church. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of John, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the Toland-Herzig website.

The family suggests that, instead of flowers, contributions in John's memory be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 216 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, OH 44622.