John R. Facemyer

AUSTINTOWN - John R. Facemyer, 72, passed away Sunday morning, Oct. 9, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a brave 11-month battle with cancer.

John was born May 27, 1944, in the small Pennsylvania town of Oak Ridge, a son of the late Albert and Nancy Kemp Facemyer, and came to Ohio in 1966 to work for General Motors.

He was a 1962 graduate of Red Bank Valley High School in New Bethlehem, Pa., and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967, serving during the Vietnam War for two years. Upon his return from the service, John settled with his wife in Austintown.

Mr. Facemyer retired from the G.M. Lordstown Plant in October of 2006 after 40 years of exemplary employment, and will be most remembered for his strong work ethic. After retirement, he committed much of his time to volunteer work and serving his community.

John was a member of the American Legion Austintown Memorial Post No. 301, where he was an officer. He took great pride in organizing the annual Austintown Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony since 2008, and even organized the beautiful 2016 parade during his illness. In recognition of outstanding leadership and service, John received from the post the Legionnaire of the Year Award in 2011.

Mr. Facemyer was also a member of the Austintown Lions Club, serving on various committees and organizing the Pet Vaccination Clinic Fundraiser. John was honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow for Dedicated Humanitarian Services, Lions Club International Foundation, and received the Austintown Lions Club Lion of the Year for 2011-12

He was a member of Poland Masonic Lodge, No. 766 F&AM, where he was elected and installed as Worshipful Master in 1997, and where he served as an officer for many years. He was also a member of the VFW Mineral Ridge Post, No. 4192; the Saxon Club, Branch No. 30; the Barbershop choruses in Pennsylvania and in Youngstown; the UAW Retirees, Local No. 1112; and he was a member of F.O.E. Austintown Eagles, Aerie No. 3298.

John loved working in his yard, waxing his cars, fishing, and watching the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates. He enjoyed going to breakfast with his friends, and he especially loved spending time with his family and playing with his beautiful granddaughters.

He leaves his beloved wife of 47 years, Barbara J. Batina Facemyer, whom he married Feb. 8, 1969; his daughter, Atty. Deborah Marinelli of North Canton; his son, Dr. Gregory Facemyer of Canfield; three granddaughters, Malia, Elisabeth, and Madeline; a sister, Marge Wells of Oak Ridge; and several nieces and nephews.

Two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary Lou, and a brother, William, preceded John in death.

Family and friends may call from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, at Kinnick Funeral Home 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a Masonic service will take place at 7:15 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 14, at the funeral home.

Interment with military honors will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown.

The Facemyer family would like to thank Dr. Christopher Knight and the staff of The Hope Center; Dr. Sayed Yossef and his staff; MVI Home Care & Hospice; and Home Instead Senior Care, for the kindness shown and exceptional care given during John’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to: Austintown Lions Club, Pilot Dogs Fund, P.O. Box 4671, Austintown, OH 44515; American Legion Austintown Memorial, Post No. 301, Buckeye Boys State Fund, 3652 Oakwood Ave., Austintown, OH 44515; or to UAW Local No. 1112 Scholarship Fund, 11471 Reuther Dr. SW, Warren, OH 44481.