Thomas Channell

MECHANICSBURG – Thomas J. "John" Channell, 89, of Urbana, passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2014, in Springfield Regional Medical Center. He was born October 28, 1924, in London, OH, the son of Thomas Jefferson and Laura Bell (Fitzgiven) Channell. John was a graduate of Mechanicsburg High School. He was an Army veteran of WWII, serving in the Blue Devils stationed in Italy.

He is survived by his daughters, Bonnie (Steve) Yurasek of Marysville and Peggy (Jim) Cushman of Mechanicsburg; his sons, Tom (Bettie) Channell of Bellefontaine, John W. Channell of Urbana and Don (Cindy) Channell of Louisville, KY; his grandchildren, Lisa (John) Yates, Leslie (Jon) Goodman, Angie (Scott) Arthur, Emily (Derek) Hess, Lori (John) Milliron, Kati Channell, Michael Channell, Bill (Mallory) Kiser, Jimmy and Donny Cushman; his great-grandchildren, Joe and Jeff Yates, Mason and Gradyn Hess, Hallie and JR Goodman, Brielle and Brodie Milliron, Isaiah Channell, Matthew and Andrew Arthur, Poppy and John Kiser; and many nieces, nephews and special family friend Betty Casey of Mechanicsburg.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Thelma A. (Ream) Channell.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2014, in the SKILLMAN, MCDONALD & VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Mechanicsburg. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2014, in the Mechanicsburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Harley Roston officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Urbana. Serving as pallbearers will be Bill Kiser, Michael Channell, John Yates, Jon Goodman, Scott Arthur, Derek Hess, John Milliron, Joe Yates, Jeff Yates and Donny Cushman; honorary pallbearer is Jimmy Cushman.

Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Mechanicsburg United Methodist Church, 42 N. Main St., Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.