John Samuel Wilson

John Samuel Wilson, age 88, of Celina, Ohio, died at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Grove City, Ohio on March 6, 2022. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on June 11, 1933, to the late Robert and Marietta (Shine) Wilson. On August 12, 1954, at Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he married Elizabeth Gary (Schwartzhoff) Wilson, who survives.

Also surviving are six children, Terri (Dennis) Schmitt, Early, Iowa, John (Dodie) Wilson, Houston, Texas, Mary (Emerson Schmidt) Wilson, Celina, Ohio, Jeffrey Wilson, Cincinnati, Ohio, Annette (Edward) Holder, Royal Oak Michigan, Douglas Wilson, Cleveland, Ohio; a brother, Tom Wilson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a sister, Mary Reyhons, Seattle, Washington; Sisters-in-law Mary Jo Wilson, Decatur, Illinois, Mary Lou Schwartzhoff, Dayton, Ohio, Molly Bredl, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kate Gregor, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, brother in law, Gary Shane, 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were two brothers Terrance Wilson and Donald Wilson; and a sister Michaele Shane, his parents-in-law, Harold and Mary Schwartzhoff, brothers-in-law Jim Schwartzhoff and Jack Bredl, sisters-in-law Ann Wilson and Charlene Wilson, and his grandson Justin.

John was a 1951 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On his 18th birthday John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Korean War where he received a purple heart. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant three years later. He then attended the University of Iowa, and graduated three years later with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.

John worked in the insurance industry for 40 years with Farm Bureau Life Insurance in Iowa as well as the Celina Group from 1973-1985.

John enjoyed spending time with his family, was active in his church, enjoyed golfing, jogging, the tulip festival, kayaking on Grand Lake, meeting friends at the Moose Lodge and was a charter member of the Saturday morning club. He was a lifelong fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a member of the Marine Corps League. Semper Fi!

Visitation and a gathering of family and friends will take place on Thursday, March 10, 2022 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 am on Friday, March 11, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Celina with Fr. Kenneth Schnipke C.PP.S. officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am – 10:15 am at the funeral home Friday morning.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mercer County Library and St Vincent DePaul, Dayton, Ohio.

Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina & St. Marys are honored to care for John and his family. To pay respects and to leave online condolences or memories, visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.