John W. German, 78, US Steel Field Engineer and German's Villa Party Center Owner

He was born on August 6, 1926 in Lorain where he has been a lifelong resident.

John was a 1944B graduate of Lorain High School.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a fireman, second class. He received the Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.

John was employed as a field engineer in the engineering department of U.S. Steel for 38 years, retiring in 1983. He then built German's Villa Party Center in Vermilion in which he owned and operated since 1984.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lorain.

He was a member of AMVETS Post 22 Vermilion, the Charleston Masonic Lodge #702, Lorain County Shrine, the Lorain County Shriner's Fire Brigade, Lorain County Scottish Rite and the Mid Century Lodge #725. He was a member of the Lorain Port Authority and volunteered many hours planning for the restoration of the Lorain Lighthouse. He was a member of the Senior Fellowship Group in which he held many offices and was currently serving as its president. He had been active on the Lorain Parks Board for many years. He was active in the Admiral King Booster Club in the 1960's and 70's.

He enjoyed hunting, and was an avid sports enthusiast; he also coached baseball in Lorain Hot Stove League.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years: Ruby (nee Gibson), sons: John Clifford German, of Vermilion, Dennis W. German of Sheffield Village, and William J. German of Lorain, 3 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, sisters: Anne Sokol of Lorain and Marion Cehlar in North Royalton.

He is preceded in death by his parents: John German in 1975 and Mary (nee Slavik) in 1966.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 9, 2002 from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. at the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 10, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Twp. Full military honors will be conducted by the Vermilion Veterans Council.