John E. Hughes

John Hughes passed away unexpectedly on December 23, 2025, surrounded by his family at St. Joe's Hospital in Warren.

John was born June 6, 1950, in Strawberry, Arkansas, where he was raised by his loving grandparents, Mildred and Tolah Mize. He graduated from Chaney High School in 1968.

In 1970, John began his lifetime commitment to public service when he became an EMT for Gold Cross Ambulance, where he met his lifelong best friend, Ben Melnykovich. John became one of the area's first paramedics in 1977. In 1985 John, Dr. Larry Woods, and Marie Morrell started the Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance, where he worked until his retirement in 2017. John was described by friends as a pioneer and an icon in the EMS world.

John also served as a police officer for Poland Village, a firefighter for the Youngstown Fire Department and the Western Reserve Joint Fire District, an instructor at YSU, and he was one of the founding members for hazmat in the Mahoning Valley.

Above everything else, John loved and adored his family. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Cathy Hughes (Illencik), who he married October 12, 1984, his daughter, Melissa Hughes, his son, John Hughes, his grandchildren, Natalie Hughes, Erik Jennings, and Elina Jennings, his sister-in-law, Cindy Illencik his brother-in-law Joe (Sue) Illencik, and his cousins from Arkansas, Linda, Peggy, and Robby (Annette).

Calling hours will be held Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home Poland Chapel, 2726 Center Road, Poland, Ohio 44514 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. followed by a Memorial service at 3:00 p.m.

This obituary can be viewed and condolences sent to www.higgins-reardon.com.