John Howard Irvine

John Howard Irvine died on Feb. 15, 2026, surrounded by family, in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was born in Cedarville, Ohio, on Feb. 20, 1932, to parents Fred M. and Dorothy G. Irvine (née Sharpin). He was the youngest of five siblings — including Elizabeth (Betty) Irvine, Edward (Bud) Irvine, Ruth Irvine (Pud) Devoe and George (Bill) Irvine — all of whom preceded him in death. To his family, he was known as Jack.
He attended Cedarville (OH) High School and after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1952 to 1955. While serving his country, he married Marilyn Hanes in 1953. For most of their 72-year marriage, they made their home in the Columbus, Ohio, area. They are the parents of three adult children: Karen (Steve) Troxell of New Waverly, Indiana, Tom (Lynn) Irvine of Cedar, Michigan, and Barbara (Randy) Cotner of Punta Gorda, Florida.
After his discharge from the Air Force, Mr. Irvine attended Wilmington College. He graduated in 1959 with a degree in Education. He started his teaching career in the Columbus Public Schools, teaching Industrial Arts at Mohawk and Walnut Ridge high schools. After receiving his Master's degree in Education Administration from Ohio State University, he was tasked with helping launch the Eastland Joint Vocational School. He became its first Trade & Industry Supervisor. Career-wise, vocational education became his life's passion. He eventually became the Superintendent of the Eastland-Fairfield Vocational Schools, which served students and families in Franklin and Fairfield counties in Ohio.
He retired in 1989, allowing him to pursue his other life's passions: fishing, traveling and gardening. In retirement, he could be found walleye fishing on Lake Erie or tending his large vegetable garden. During the winter months, you could find him fishing for redfish among the mangroves of Port Charlotte Harbor.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by eight grandchildren, including KaraLee Belford, Aaron Troxell, Barry Troxell, Ben Troxell, Kyle Cotner, Allison Cotner, Mathew Irvine and Michael Irvine, and eight great-grandchildren, including Emma Troxell, Alexander Belford, Nicholas Belford, Avaline Troxell, Isaac Troxell, Elyssa Enriquez, Samuel Troxell and Amelia Irvine.
Memorial service plans are pending. The family asks that memorial gifts be made to Peace United Methodist Church (https://www.peaceumc.org/) in Pickerington, OH or to Tidewell Hospice in SW Florida (https://tidewellfoundation.org/).