John Swihart

John Swihart, 73, of Canton and formerly of Bolivar, died Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Medina following a period of declining health.

A son of the late Robert Honchell and the late Edith (Kerns) Honchell Swihart, John was born January 1, 1942 at Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

John was a veteran of the United States Army and served for three years upon receiving his honorable discharge on May 22, 1963. He worked as a meat cutter and retired from Fresh Mark, formerly known as Sugardale, at Canton following 30 years of service.

He served as a volunteer firefighter for the Village of Zoar and was active with the Bolivar American Legion Post #190. John was an avid outdoorsman and he especially enjoyed hunting and fishing.

John experienced declining health over the last few years and was ultimately diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. On October 12, 2010, he received the gift of life by way of a double lung transplant.

He is survived by his wife, Janet (Sahli) Swihart whom he married on July 20, 1991; his children, Robert Swihart and Sherri Lynne (Tim) Lutes of Massillon; two grandchildren, Alexis and Christian; his step-mother, Geraldine Honchell of Tampa, Florida; a sister, Margilee (Larry) Carr of Tampa, Florida; an uncle, Bert Honchell of Panama City, Florida and cousins.

John was forever grateful for his relationship with the late Pat and Eva La Rocco and their extended family.

He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Doris Sahli of Canton; two brothers-in-law, Richard Sahli and Philip (Linda) Sahli and children, Christopher, Denise and David.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover, 5600 N. Wooster Avenue, Dover, OH 44622. A funeral service celebrating John’s life will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with cousins, Pastors Luke and Katie Oskin officiating. Burial will follow in Ft. Laurens Cemetery at Bolivar.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Bolivar American Legion Post #190, 121 Canal Street, Bolivar, OH 44612 or to the Bolivar United Methodist Church, 256 Poplar Street, Bolivar, OH 44612 or to a charity of one’s choice.