John J. Ellis O'Donnell

John J. Ellis O’Donnell, 98, of Upper Sandusky, and formerly of McCutchenville and Tiffin, passed away at 9:10 a.m. Sunday, December 1, 2019, at Fairhaven Community Home, Upper Sandusky.

John was born April 24, 1921, in McCutchenville, to Howard Lester and Salome (Von Blon) O’Donnell.  His mother passed away shortly after childbirth. John first married Naomi L. (Burkhardt) September 28, 1947, and she died in 1984, never wanting to be alone he then married Marguerite Mitchel on July 19, 1986, and she died in 1994; he then married Pearl R. (Smith) Gottfried and she died in 2010.

Survivors include two sons, Timothy (Jeannie) O’Donnell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Chris (Kathryn) O’Donnell of Tiffin, and a step-daughter, Harriett (Jeff) Winger of Jupiter, Fla.;  seven grandchildren, Shane O’Donnell, Tracy Hook, Sarah Gonzales, Elizabeth O’Donnell, Kate O’Donnell, Laurel Blough, Michael O’Donnell; nine great-grandchildren, , Logan, Eryn, Amara, EJ, Aidan, Karri, Kelly, Gabriella, Joel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, Naomi, Marguerite and Pearl; a son, David O’Donnell, and a sister, Zelda Bombarger.

John grew up during the depression era, raised by his maternal grandmother, Ella Von Blon and several other relatives. John graduated in 1940 from McCutchenville High School. He worked at Tiffin Art Metal Company until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, and served in the Philippines and Japan until 1946.  Upon release from the Army, he attended Toledo Barber College and practiced barbering in McCutchenville until 1957 at which time he moved to Tiffin.  He worked as a barber until 2007.  For most of those years, his shop was located in the basement at 144 S. Washington Street.  He believed in Jesus Christ and was a member of the Methodist Church of McCutchenville, Washington Street United Methodist Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, First Christian Church was a member Faith United Methodist Church (formerly Ebenezer UMC) all of Tiffin.  In each church, he led Sunday School classes for different ages.  He was also an avid participant in the Tiffin City Church Dartball League serving as past president, secretary, treasurer, and organizer. He also played in several area Grange Dartball teams.

Visitation will be 9 -10 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019, followed by the funeral at 10 a.m. all at the Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419)-447-3113.  Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery, Tiffin.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Sharing Kitchen, Salvation Army, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

For out-of-town flower orders, or to offer condolences to the family, or to view the Celebration of Life Video go to: www.traunerofuneralhome.com.

TO VIEW JOHN'S SERVICE LIVE, GO TO http://livestream.com/accounts/6539669/John