John Juergensen

1939 - 2024

Juergensen, John Stuart

John Stuart Juergensen, 85, peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, September 27, 2024, in Aurora, Ohio. He was born May 15, 1939, in Paola, Kansas, to the late T.L and Alma (Fahsholtz) Juergensen. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his older brother, the Rev. Dr. James E. Juergensen, Sr.

John graduated high school in 1957 and received his B.A from Valparaiso University in 1961. He later obtained his M.A. from the University of Dayton. He spent his entire career teaching English at Huber Heights Wayne High School where he loved to share his passion for reading with his students. He especially enjoyed challenging them with puzzles he created himself so they would have fun while learning. After every school year, John would spend a week in Oglebay, West Virginia, with some of his fellow teachers playing golf and tennis by day and pinochle by night. John retired from teaching in 1994.

John will forever be remembered by his sister, Marita (Bob) Gabler; his sister-in-law, Toni Juergensen (Al); and his nephews, John (Steph) and James (Rosa) Juergensen, Jr. and Jonathan Gabler (Jessica); Jonathan's sons, Sammy and Tommy, and James' daughter, Juliet, who will all terribly miss their beloved Uncle. Ever since John moved to be closer to his family, 17-month-old Juliet was the light of his life. She brought him so much joy and happiness in his final months, and she will no doubt grow up with warm and loving stories of her Uncle to keep his memory alive.

John's faith was paramount in his life. He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Huber Heights for over 50 years where he was a valued member of the church's choir. John was an avid reader (he kept hundreds of books in his home), and he would challenge himself nearly every day with a variety of complex word puzzles. He enjoyed playing pinochle and shooting a round of golf, especially with his nephews. In his younger days, he would challenge his older brother to a tennis match with varying results. He loved baseball, and while at different times in his life he rooted for the Cubs and Reds, he never strayed from his Royals. And he always kept his eye on the Kansas Jayhawks football and basketball teams.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman, Ohio. The family will hold a memorial service at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 5566 Chambersburg Rd, Huber Heights, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024, with a luncheon to immediately follow. The family requests that any material tributes be given in John's name to St. Matthew Lutheran Church.

Finally, John's favorite author was Charles Dickens, who wrote in A Tale of Two Cities: "It is an exquisite and beautiful thing in our nature, that, when the heart is touched and softened by some tranquil happiness or affectionate feeling, the memory of the dead comes over it most powerfully and irresistibly." John's warmth, generosity, even temperament, and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew and loved him and our memories of him will continue to touch our hearts and bring us happiness forever.