John Robert "JR" Hladon

Hladon John Robert "JR" Hladon, age 82, died in his home in Powell, Ohio, on Sunday, December 7, 2014 after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. Born April 17, 1932, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Margaret Smotrilla and Samuel Hladon, he attended Saint Matthias Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson High School. Thereafter, John served in the United States Army with distinction, attained the rank of Sergeant, and fought bravely in the Korean Conflict. After the war, John pursued aviation and eventually flew as an airline captain with Lake Central, Allegheny, USAir and USAirways for 34 years. He was married to the former Mary Dickerson, with whom he had three children. He met and married the former Jane Christine Brooks, with whom he spent the rest of his life. JR will be especially remembered by his love for his family and his passion for aviation, golf, music, watching sports and frequent trips to the gym. Survivors include: his dedicated and loving wife, Chris; his sons, John D. (Shelby) Hladon and Paul R. Hladon; his daughters, Mary Hladon (Eric) Caldwell, Kelly Brooks (Dan) Hofelt, Amy Brooks Lewis, and Brenda Brooks (Brian) Kowaluk; his nine grandchildren; his sister, Marian Hladon Shepelevich, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Margaret Hladon McLoughlin. A Celebration of JR's Life will be held at 12Noon on January 17, 2015, at Stone Bridge Golf Village Clubhouse in Powell, OH. Memorial contributions in his name are welcome through the Wounded Warrior Foundation at http://www.wounderwarriorproject.org/.