JOHN W. PORTER

John W. Porter, 96, of Garrettsville, OH, went home to his Lord and Savior Thursday, January 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was the first born of ten on September 26, 1928, in Windham, OH, to the late Elmer and Ethel (nee Shively) Porter.  

He grew up on a farm and always worked with his dad. During high school, John drove his dad’s coal truck delivering coal to homes, the school, and Hiram College during World War II. He and Peter Mayer ran the township snowplow, and John worked as a mason early in his career and joined the Prudential Insurance Company in sales to finish out his career. John married the love of his life, Beverly Reichelderfer on May 8, 1950. He served in the Korean war and was a proud veteran and patriot. John belonged to the Masonic Lodge for over 70 years, and was a loyal member of the Garrettsville United Methodist Church, where he will be remembered as the greeter, the Can Man, who drove around town collecting cans to smash and recycle donating the proceeds to the church. He will be missed on Sundays greeting with a warm welcome and saying a cheerful good bye to everyone who attended. John donated over 30 gallons of blood at the Red Cross blood bank and never missed an opportunity to give. He even donated when he was in Texas at the Carter Blood bank. John was an honorary member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His servant spirit was seen volunteering 50 years with the Garrettsville Fire Department, building with Habitat for Humanity, supporting the Samaritan Purse Shoebox Ministry and the Shriners Hospital. After retiring, John took up counted cross stitching. He completed and framed over 50 cross stitch masterpieces; you may have one hanging in your home celebrating your marriage date. John’s cross stitches received many blue ribbons and best of show awards at the Randolph and Geauga county fairs and the Stan Hywet Art Guild Show.   

John will forever be missed by his children, Sandy Porter Robinson, Jacke (Jack) Mumaw, Mike (Belinda) Porter, Marce (Jason) Hamilton; 14 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; siblings, Dick Porter, Ruth Marlewski, Barbara Biltz, Jim Porter, Linda Hrobak, and Harold Porter, as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bev; brother, Chuck; and sisters, Gladys Weis and Wanda Vasarely.  

Please join the family for a memorial visitation Sunday, February 2, 2025, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center St., Garrettsville, OH 44231.  

The family would like to encourage those who want to honor John to graciously donate to some organizations that meant so much to him, such as the Garrettsville United Methodist Church, 8223 Park Ave., Garrettsville, OH 44231, the Garrettsville Fire Department, 8035 Elm St, Garrettsville, OH 44231, and the American Red Cross, https://www.redcross.org/, Tunnels to Towers, https://todaysveterans.org/, or a charity of your choice. Pick anyone, he’s probably donated to it, as well.