John Wesley Hurless, Jr.

John Wesley Hurless, Jr. 85, of New Philadelphia, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2020 in Mercy Medical Center at Canton following a battle with Covid-19.

Born in Tippecanoe, John was the son of the late John Wesley and Alberta Margaret (Davidson) Hurless, Sr. and had attended Oregon State University and had graduated from Life Bible College. He honorably served his country with the United States Army and then with the Air Force Reserve before beginning his career with Bart Wolstein Development where he worked as a site developer for the construction of many K-Mart retail stores throughout the United States. John also was a local developer and constructed a number of local homes and had also worked with his father with the former Hurless Insulation Company.

A man of many talents and interests, John was a former Pastor with the Foursquare Church in Albany, Oregon and a member of the Custer Memorial Association at New Rumley. He was a published writer, who went by the pen name of Tippecanoe Jack, he had written many articles that appeared locally in the News-Herald paper and also in the Monroe Evening News at Monroe, Michigan. Because of his knowledge and research, he was referenced in publications about General George Custer. John was also a songwriter and guitar player and had appeared on television in the Los Angeles area as well as hosting a radio broadcast in Oregon.

Possessing a passion for flying, John was a Commercial Pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor having logged hundreds of hours flying numerous types of large and small aircraft. He even survived a number of crashes, none of which were his fault. He was also a longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter #1077 at New Philadelphia where he served for many years as the Editor of the chapter newsletter. John also possessed an extensive knowledge of weapons and ammunition and loved to go shooting. More than anything, John was a family man and loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchild. Following the recent death of his wife, John reminded his family to “Strengthen the things that remain.”

On June 20, 1959, John married the former Patricia Ruth (Fralick) Hurless and together they shared over 61 years of marriage prior to her passing on November 29, 2020. Surviving are two daughters, Teresa (Steve) Litty of New Philadelphia and Dianna (Steve) Saulnier of Pensacola, Florida; two sons, Garry Owen Hurless of New Philadelphia and Wesley Allan Hurless of Midvale; 11 Grandchildren, John Andrew (Alyssa) Litty, Matthew David (Bianca) Litty, Sara Marie (David) Litty Simpson, Rachael (Zach) Litty Tybor, Jacob Michael Saulnier, Hannah Marie Saulnier, Zachary Wyatt Hurless, John Morgan Galang Hurless, Arthur James Galang Hurless, Joshua Allan Hurless and Isaac Daniel Hurless; a great grandson, Baker Paul Litty and two sisters, Beverly (Phillip) Maasz and Evajean (Robert) Brubaker and many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents and his wife, John was preceded in death by an infant sister, Harriett Hurless, a half-sister, Norma Jean Hurless and her mother, Thelma Czatt Hurless and a step-mother, Dale Helvoigt.

In keeping with His wishes, John is to be cremated through the care of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.

It is the family’s request that in order to pass on John’s love of flying to future generations, memorial contributions be made to EAA Chapter #1077, Wright Flight Program, P.O. Box 1, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663