John A. Sanker, Jr.

John Almon Sanker Jr., 86, passed away on October 28th at Reserve Care Hospice after a brief hospitalization. Born September 25, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio to John (Jack) and Virgina Sanker, he lived in the Chardon area for the past 57 years. He graduated from Charles F. Brush High School in 1958, joined the Army in 1961, and was honorably discharged in 1964. Upon his return from Germany, he joined his father at the family business, Vacuum Finishing Company. Not long after, he met Nancy Melega while out dancing with friends, whom he told, “I am going to marry that girl”; and he did, on June 10th, 1967.

They raised three daughters, with John being a very involved and loving Dad; coaching softball, making up his own silly games for them to play, building the best snow forts, taking family camping trips and making countless visits to Cedar Point-including his 75th birthday when he rode every rollercoaster in the park! He bestowed even more love onto his grandchildren, and at family gatherings would spend his time crawling and playing around with the kids rather than hanging out with the adults. Perhaps this is because he was a big kid himself, always joking around and bringing laughter to those around him. Anyone who knew John surely was able to enjoy his ever-present sense of humor. His quick wit wasn’t just about telling jokes though; it was his favorite way to show love and keep everyone smiling through anything.

John enjoyed spending time gardening, making home-made beer, playing bridge, square-dancing, fishing and took great pride in the many wooden canoes he built. He was the life of the party, including the annual New Year’s Eve gathering he and Nancy hosted for friends for twenty-five years. A part of John died when his wife of 47 years passed away suddenly on December 4th, 2013. Wanting to keep Nancy alive in spirit, he was inspired to volunteer as she did, giving his time to the Bereavement Committee at St. Mary’s Church, delivering food for Meals on Wheels, volunteering at a food pantry and with Fighting Against Parkinson’s, a non-contact boxing class. He also started faithfully donating blood for The American Red Cross. While volunteering at the St Mary’s Lenten Fish Fry in 2017, he met Mary Svoboda, and they married later that fall, starting a new chapter of their lives.

He will be greatly missed and forever loved by his daughters, Julie Hubert, Karen (Dan) Martin, Laura (Matt) Mauller; grandchildren Jordan (Dylan) Gardner, Daniel Martin, Drew and Henry Hubert, and Lexi, Ali and AJ Mauller; wife Mary Svoboda and her family; sisters MaryJayne Sanker, Peggy Sanker, Susan Wittler; and brothers Steve (Jeannette) and Mike Sanker; brothers-in-law Bill Melega and Tom Fleming; and sister-in-law Marilyn Fleming. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and countless people who were able to call him their friend. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy and his brother, Tom (Sharon) Sanker.

Friends and family will be received from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Church of St. Mary, 401 North Street, Chardon on Saturday, November 21st. A service will be held at Noon with a lunch to follow. Private family burial will take place.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Geauga Park District. Please mail to Karen Martin 138 Nantucket Circle, Painesville, OH 44077