John Martin Yetzer
John Martin Yetzer, age 89, of Shelby, passed away early Sunday morning, April 21, 2024 at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital’s Inpatient Hospice Unit.
John was born May 15, 1934 in Shelby to the late Joseph Leo and Catharine Regina (Keller) Yetzer. A 1952 graduate of Shelby High School, John was a senior class executive and played halfback on the football team for the Whippets. Throughout high school John had worked at Islay’s in downtown Shelby until his father took him to Seltzer Electric Company inquiring about a job. This would change his working life and career.
On July 2, 1955 he married Doris Elaine Hunter and together they celebrated 67 years of marriage. Doris’ love for horses brought John to riding. In their early years of marriage, John served as a Richland Count Mounted Policeman patrolling the county fair- parking cars and maintaining order. In the 1960’s, they bought property on East Smiley Road, building a house and a barn for the horses made from parts from the Shelby Cycle Company building’s demolition. It was in this home that they raised their family of four and made many memories. John continued in the “horse arena” competing in barrel racing, becoming President of the Circle S Riding and Driving club, and having served as a Trustee for the Ohio Quarter Pony Association.
John’s working life was spent as an electrician- primarily as a project manager. A proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union for 70+ years and having once served as their President, John mentored many apprentices as they came through the program. In 1962, John and partners purchased Seltzer Electric Company. He later became the majority stockholder. Throughout his career, he helped with the completion of projects such as the Shelby Memorial Hospital addition, the L&K Restaurant, Citizen’s Bank addition, City of Shelby Utilities building, Marvin Memorial Library addition, St. Mary School, O’Neil’s Department Store at the Richland Mall, Holiday Inn in downtown Mansfield, and many projects at the Ontario General Motors Plant- to name a few. In 1985 they sold the company which later became Charnan Electric. The company moved to Mansfield and John continued to work as an estimator until his retirement in 1996.
John was lifelong member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Shelby and the Shelby Knights of Columbus. He loved fishing and spent many trips in Canada flying to remote regions to camp and fish. He was a charter member (more than 40 years) of the Catawba Point Association Park where summers were spent boating and fishing on Lake Erie. Even the grandchildren, who would not eat fish, loved eating his fried perch and walleye bites breaded with Ritz crackers. Additionally, John had a love and talent for woodworking, making many beautiful pieces and projects throughout his life.
John is survived by his children: Christina Lynn Drain, Susan Marie (Thomas) Lowery, Daniel Martin (Angela) Yetzer, and Jennifer Ann (Dana) Pennell all of Shelby; grandchildren: Katharine (Scott) Daniels, Sean (Jane) Drain, Phillip (Erin) Lowery, Anne (Nathan) Young, Steven (Kaylin) Lowery, Rachel (Neil) Jakubowski, Rhiannon (Troy) Keary, Taylor Yetzer, Caitlin Barrett (Daniel Eilenfeld), and Brooke (Nathan) Korbas; 13 great grandchildren: a sister: Joan Ashley; a brother: Dave Yetzer; in-laws: Marge Yetzer and Terry (Diana) Hunter; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. John’s wife, Doris, preceded him in death on July 3, 2022. Additionally, his parents and brother, Joseph Lee Yetzer, also predeceased him.
Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 6-8 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where a Rosary will be recited at 8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 10:30 am at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby. Fr. Chris Mileski will celebrate the funeral mass with burial following in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or to the Catawba Point Association.
Condolences may be left on John’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellTurner.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral).
To view John’s Tribute video, click here: John Martin Yetzer Tribute Video
My deepest condolences.
Jenn, Caitlin & Family. I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
My sincerest condolences and prayers to the Yetzer family.
It sounds like Mr. Yetzer lived an amazing life and was so, so loved. I’m sorry to have never met him. My condolences to Chris Drain and the entire Yetzer family.
Anne and family – Doug and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your grandpa. I grew up in St Mary’s church and knew of your grandparents. Amazing people.
Barbara and I send our sincere condolences to all of John’s family.
We got to know John through the Richland Genealogy Society and enjoyed visiting with him very much. We are so sad at his passing.
It is amazing to read about all of the endeavors John was involved in his
illustrious life. A life well lived.
To the Yetzer Family,
Please accept our deepest condolences and prayers for the passing of John.
The Ron Nelson Family
John I will miss you riding your golf cart down our road at the lake and me stopping you to chat. RIP my friend and may the winds always be at your back. Regard, Tom
Dear Yetzer Family,
We are going to miss John very much!!! We have enjoyed talking to John over the years at our Family Reunions. His stories were so much fun to listen to and they filled in gaps in four family history and told of the fun times everyone had.
May God bless him and may he rest in peace in Jesus’s loving arms.
Sincerely,
Jim & Sally Promenschenkel and the entire Promenschenkel Family
Condolences from the Hunter families out west to the Yetzer families. I have very fond memories of our visits to the Smiley Rd house, seeing the horses and even getting to ride a small motorcycle in the field next to house. We loved the times at Lake Erie fishing and spending time with Uncle John and Aunt Doris who’s trailer was next to my parents place. We loved those visits. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Mick and Debi Hunter
Mark and Shannon Hunter and Ethan and Ella
Laurie and Dan Martin and Casten and Maryn
My regrets to the Yetzer family. We have lost a good man
To the families, sorry for your loss as we were neighbors and classmates. I remember riding by your house on the school bus every day.