John D Rohal

John D. Rohal 88, of Edinburg Township Rootstown, Ohio passed away suddenly Friday morning December 2, 2022 surrounded by his loving family at UH Portage Medical Center.  He was born February 24, 1934 to the late John and Margaret (Potisuk) Rohal. He grew up in Kent and graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1951 where he met his future wife, marrying Patrticia Grove the following year. He played football and was voted captain his senior year and was very active in numerous singing groups in high school which lead him to join the Akron Derbytown Barbershop Chorus. He was the baritone of The Interludes Barbershop Quartet, along with tenor Bill Trumpold, lead Jim Bouterse, and bass Ed Egan for over 45 years and the last surviving member of his quartet. He will be remembered for having a song for anyone that came to visit him

John moved to his farm in Edinburg with his wife and family in 1960, often called “Farmer John” for his love of organic farming and gardening.  He worked at Matco Tools as their warehouse manager until he retired then worked for Southeast Schools as a bus driver then custodian for many years. He was a staunch supporter of 4-H along with his wife, Pat who was advisor of the Edinburg Seambusters sewing 4-H club for 42 years until her death in 2007.  They both leave a legacy behind with daughters and granddaughter as advisors and now several great grandchildren as Seambusters 4-H members.  He taught CCD classes at St. Peter of the Fields Church in Rootstown and was an umpire for baseball and softball.  He will be remembered for his sportsmanship and encouragement to all that crossed his path.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Patricia (Grove) Rohal, on July 10, 2007, his brother and sister-in-law Richard (Stella) Rohal, brother-in-law Emil Zavodny, sister-in-law Beverly Grove Ludick and Joan Grove Dolbow, son-in-law Joe Pischera and daughter-in-law Loretta Rohal. John believed family to be his biggest blessing and leaves behind a large loving family. He is survived by his children Margie Pischera of Brookfield, OH; Patty (Craig) Maefs of Buffalo, NY; Bobbie (Dan) Gallagher of Mantua, OH; Charlene Rohal of Edinburg, OH;  John David Rohal of Mount Vernon, OH; Mike (Beth) Rohal of Palmyra, OH; and Steve (Julie) Rohal of Edinburg, OH; Grandchildren Anna (Tim) Reinsel, Gina (Josh) Lunsford, Joe (Jessica) Pischera, Robert (Julie) Maefs, Matthew (Elizabeth) Maefs, Sarah (Matt) Heiss, Theo Maefs, Shannon and Tyler Gallagher, Dana (Tony) Fanizzi, Laura (Sean) Alberts, Lisa Rohal, Garrett (LaFond) Rohal, Caroline, Jack, Jacob, Douglas, Maggie and Curtis Rohal; 13 Great Grandchildren; his siblings Elaine Zavodny, Robert (Cathy) Rohal, Shirley Anne (Jim) Hayes, brother-in-law Edward Dolbow and many nieces and nephews.

In honoring his request, cremation has taken place. Memorial calling hours will be Thursday December 22, 2022 from 4pm until time of memorial services at 7pm at the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes Ravenna Chapel with Deacon Ted Suzelis officiating and tribute music from the Akron Derbytown Barbershop singers. Condolences and memories of John may be shared with his family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John’s name can be made to either Portage County 4-H Life Skills Committee 705 Oakwood St Suite 103 Ravenna, Ohio 44266 or the Akron Derbytown Barbershop Harmony Society PO Box 5434 Fairlawn, Ohio 44334.