John M Mendiola

Obituary for John Michael Mendiola, born March 24, 1925, died April 14, 2022

John M. Mendiola, 97, lived every moment to the fullest and shared his love of life with family and friends until the day he left his earthly existence on April 14, 2022. His Lord and Savior welcomed him surrounded by John’s beloved wife, Ida, and children, Loretta and Frank.

John accomplished much in his long life but his greatest gift was opening his home and heart to so many who called him father, brother, uncle, friend and mentor.

Born in Ravenna where he lived his entire life, John was the only son of Frank and Lucretia Mendiola. Ambitious, he earned his barber’s license before graduating from Ravenna High School in 1943 with the goal of going into business with his father at Mendiola’s Barber Shop.

He was making a lot of plans and the most important included Ida Verna Trocchio, whom he met at a church picnic at Geauga Lake Park in 1940. World War II delayed their future as John enlisted in the US Navy and was sent to the South Pacific. He served on the USS Dobbin, a destroyer tender, that traveled to Australia, the Philippines and New Guinea.

Back in Ravenna by 1946, John went into business with his father as the business grew and moved from various locations until it took up residence at 233 South Chestnut across from Portage County Courthouse. You could hear all the latest news while getting your hair cut at Mendiola’s!

John and Ida married on Sept. 2, 1946 at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church in Campbell, Ohio. They established their home in Ravenna close to their parents, Frank and Lucretia Mendiolas and Alfred and Gertrude Trocchio. John and Ida were blessed with four children: Loretta who became a teacher and accomplished quilter; Frank, a talented musician; Rob, a dedicated city planner; and Fred, a local businessman and community organizer.

John saw life had given him so much that he was committed to giving back to his community. He was elected to Ravenna City Council and served for 13 years. He was Mayor from 1982-1983. He was active in the Portage County Democratic Party and served as a precinct committeeperson for many years.

While his children were in school, he and Ida were active in the Catholic Youth Organization at Immaculate Conception. In their later years, they were very active members in the church’s Young at Heart Group, where they found many friends. During the 1950s, John led the local chapter of the American Heart Association after his daughter, Loretta, had open heart surgery when she was eight.

John and Ida were married for 68 years. They loved to travel together and took three trips to Italy to visit the Puglia and Abruzzo regions where their parents were born and where they had relatives. They kept strong ties to family in Vieste and Rivosindali, trading letters and phone calls throughout the year.

Most of their married life was lived in the house on Midland, where they raised their family and welcomed their friends. The house was filled with celebration during John’s annual birthday parties, the last one just a few weeks before he passed. John greeted everyone and was glad for the gifts that included several bottles of wine and other spirits.

Portage County Commissioners declared March 24, 2015 “John M. Mendiola Day” in the county on John’s 90th birthday. His last few years he spent time reading, much of it about World War II history. While he was still in good health, he would take trips with Fred to Florida to visit cousins and his shipmates from the Dobbin.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Ida, daughter Loretta, and son Frank. He is survived by his son Rob; Rob’s wife, DeeDee, and their son, Marcus, and Marcus’ wife, Alissa, all of California; son Fred and his partner Marie Kopan of Kent; daughter-in-law, Olivia, and grandson Alexander of California; sister, Cecilia Passalacqua of Willoughby Hills; numerous cousins in the US and Italy and nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Emmanuel Yanelli, D.O., and his amazing team. John developed an extremely close bond with Dr. Yanelli for which the family will forever be grateful. John’s family would also like to thank the entire staff of University Hospitals Portage Medical Center. We can’t say enough about the UH Portage Medical Center care. The family would additionally like to send its gratitude to the City of Ravenna Fire Department for the care its emergency personnel gave John.

Calling hours will be Monday April 18, 2022 from 4-7 PM at the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes Ravenna Chapel.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 Am Tuesday April 19, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna with Father William Kraynak officiating.  Entombment with military honors will follow in St Mary Cemetery Ravenna, Ohio.  Condolences and memories of John may be shared with his family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 409 W. Main St., Ravenna, Ohio, 44266, https://icparishravenna.org, or the City of Ravenna Fire Department, 214 Park Way, Ravenna, Ohio, 44266.

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