Creston -- John E. Lendon, age 72, of Creston, formerly of Rittman, died Friday, October 21, 2022, at Summa Barberton Hospital, following a period of declining health.

John was born on July 30, 1950, in Lodi, Ohio, to the late Thomas and Doris (Davis) Lendon and graduated from Rittman High School with the class of 1969.  He married Judy Ullman on July 12, 1969, at Mt. Zion Church in Sterling, and they have been happily married throughout the last 53 years.

Most of his adult life was doing maintenance work at Technocast Foundry, and later retired from The J.M. Smucker Company in Orrville. He also served as Captain for the Rittman Fire Department for 13 years.

John loved watching NASCAR, going camping with his family, boating on the pontoon boat, and working on vehicles. He also enjoyed ghost hunting, searching for the paranormal, and evidence of Sasquatch. He liked working on projects around the house, and could often be found out in the garage restoring his 1957 Chevy. When he wasn’t working on something at his house, he would often be at a friend’s house working on one of their cars. John kept a busy schedule by working 3rd shift and volunteering at the local fire department, but he never missed a chance to be with his girls or be at their sporting events. In his younger years, he enjoyed coaching them in their summer softball, basketball, volleyball, and track teams. With all that he had going on, the number one thing is his life was always making sure that he spent time with his family.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his two daughters, Lisa (Jason) Blankenship of Galion, and Stephanie (Amy Hlasta) Lendon of Burbank; four grandchildren, Alexandra Manson, Nathanial (Danielle) Napier, Logan Napier, and Jake (Chelsea) Manson; 9 great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Linda) Lendon of Sterling; sister, Dorothy Wilson of Gnadenhutten; two sisters-in-law, Corki and Ada Lendon; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins; and his three best friends, Gary Larch, Jeff Steese, and Tony Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Judy Rodgers, brothers Larry and Thomas Lendon II, and his brother-in-law Randall Wilson.

Friends may call from 4-7pm on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Auble-Gillman Funeral Home, 360 W. Sunset Dr., Rittman, or from 10-11am on Thursday morning at the funeral home.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday at Auble-Gillman Funeral Home with Pastor Jim McComas officiating. Burial will take place at the Rittman Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60606 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Auble-Gillman Funeral Home in Rittman is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.gillmanfuneralhome.com.