John A. Medvec 1926-2025

John was born Nov. 24, 1926, on the west side of Youngstown, a son of John S. and Julia Dzuroff Medvec. Along with his three sisters, he grew up near Borts Field, now renamed after his friend and former neighbor, George “Shotgun” Shuba.

John’s family were devoted members of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, where John attended school. He graduated from Chaney High School, where he particularly enjoyed the shop classes. After graduation he entered the U.S. Navy during WWII. He received medical training on the West Coast and served as a Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class (PhM3c). He proudly served aboard ship and submarine, as well as at hospitals on the East Coast.

When the war ended, John returned to Youngstown. Out of necessity, he suspended the pursuit of a medical career, instead finding employment as a machine shop apprentice at MacKenzie Muffler in Austintown. He quickly advanced to journeyman Tool & Die Maker. When the business closed, he found employment producing Precision Roll-Formed Shape Tooling at Hynes Industries in Austintown. He retired there, truly a master of his trade.

On Oct. 18, 1952, John married Eleanor Puhalla at Holy Name of Jesus Church. Together, they became charter members of St. Christine Parish, and as lifelong members of the Parish, raised their four children who attended its school and church.

John’s lifelong interests included fishing, hunting, baseball and radio, particularly Ham Radio, at which he excelled. He also enjoyed gardening, amateur winemaking — earning many ribbons at the Canfield Fair — and traveling. John and Eleanor enriched their children’s lives with numerous vacations across the United States, Canada and Mexico in their travel trailers, replacing them with larger ones as their children grew. They were active members of the local “Wagon Wheels” travel trailer club.

John leaves behind to cherish his memory, his sons, Daniel of Boardman, John W. (Suzy) of Canfield, and Frank; his daughter, Linda (William) Kuebler of Berlin Center; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Margaret Puhalla.

John was preceded in death by Eleanor, his wife of 63 years; two sisters, Sophie Motosko and Mary Ress; and brothers-in-law, Thomas Motosko, Joseph Ress and Leonard Puhalla.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at St. Christine Church, 3125 S. Schenley Ave., Youngstown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, where John will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via www.stjude.org; the donor’s preference; or Mass intentions in his name.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home in Youngstown.

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