Few people touch a community with their love and friendship, a caring heart, and hands that are always giving. John F. Houpt was one of those people, a pillar of Mount Gilead and other Morrow County communities. He passed away early Saturday morning, June 27, 2015, at the Morrow County Hospital. He was 90 years old.
On January 27, 1925, John was born in Cleveland, OH, the son of the late James Floyd Houpt and Lathiel (Hahn) Siegfried. He graduated from Marengo High School in the Class of 1943.
After being set up on a blind date, John met the love of his life, Dorothy M. Gavin. They dated a short time, and three months later were married in Marengo on December 23, 1946. They cherished more than 68 years together and raised five children along that wonderful journey. They enjoyed attending Trinity United Methodist Church and spending winter’s together in South Carolina.
Over the years, John made a living at numerous places. He worked for the Union Store in Mount Gilead and Geyer’s Market in Bucyrus and Mount Gilead, and was a night dispatcher for the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office. He was then employed by the Morrow County Highway Department and later took a supervisor position for ODOT, from where he retired in 1991.
John was a good Democrat, and was passionately involved in his community. He was a charter member of the Morrow County EMS. He served as a Red Cross Instructor for 40 years, was Mayor of Marengo 1952-1959, Mount Gilead Fire Chief 1969-1976, and a volunteer fire fighter for Mount Gilead and Marengo, usually driving the brush truck. He also served on the Mount Gilead Recreation Board, Human Services Board, Democratic Central Committee, Mid-Ohio Housing Authority, and various other community programs.
John enjoyed volunteering his time as an EMT for many different events. His favorite was The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield. He donated his time from the very first tournament and continued to do so for 30 years. He also volunteered to work many Ohio State football games. Dorothy, a registered nurse, began to join him on all of these adventures because of all the fun he had.
When John was working, he said he did not have time for hobbies. Following his retirement, he took up golf and enjoyed being out on the links with his family and friends whenever he could.
John will be remembered as a wonderful, soft spoken man with a great sense of humor. He poured his heart and soul into his family, friends, and community.
John will be dearly missed by his wife, Dorothy, of Mount Gilead; five children: Margery Smith of Mount Gilead, Lynn Wear of Mount Gilead, John (Sara) Houpt of Upper Sandusky, Mark (Marie) Houpt of Georgetown, SC, Kevin (Sallie) Houpt of Marion; 18 grandchildren: John (Claire) Houpt, Derek (Jolene) Houpt, Kelsey (Frank) Vent, Erin (Joe) Williams, Brian Wear, Nancy Cressey, Robert Cressey, Jennifer (Scott) Batton, Janelle (Brian) Duress, Kelley Smith, Crosby (Christina) Houpt, Allyson Rodgers, Meredith (David) Gilpin, Olivia, Hayden, Sterling, and Suzannah Houpt, Ryan Swartz; and 17 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: William F. Wahl and Nelson Maidlow; and a sister, Madeline McCombs.
John’s family will greet friends from 1 – 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3, 2015, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Memorial services honoring his life will begin at 2:30 p.m. with his nephew, Pastor Jon Hall officiating.
Rather than flowers, John’s family asks you consider giving a memorial contribution in his honor to one of these organizations near and dear to his heart: the Mount Gilead Fire Department or Morrow County EMS.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead are honored to have been chosen to serve John’s family, and your condolences may be left to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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