John Winston "Jack" Lininger

John "Jack" Winston Lininger, age 84, of Erie, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Born on July 9, 1941, he was the son of the late Dr. Carl Blaine Lininger and Mary Jean (Winston) Lininger.
Jack graduated from Rice Avenue Union High School in 1960 and went on to serve in the United States Air Force. He later enjoyed a long career as a programmer for Ohio Bell Telephone, spanning over thirty years. In his earlier years, he also served as a Deputy Sheriff in Geauga County, Ohio. Known for his strength of character and unwavering determination, Jack faced life's challenges with resilience.
A natural humorist, he delighted friends and family with his quick wit and infectious smile, and he thrived as the center of attention, bringing energy and joy to every gathering. A true jack-of-all-trades, Jack had a remarkable talent for fixing and building, passing on his skills to his children-whether repairing vehicles or completing the meticulous work required for ambitious projects around the home.
One of his favorite projects was building "Jack's Honky Tonk," a lively bar in his basement where friends and family could gather. He took great pride in crafting an ordinary basement into a warm, welcoming venue that buzzed with music and laughter, making it a beloved retreat for all who visited.
He was a passionate collector of music, spending many joyful hours sorting, cataloging, and listening to his cherished records. In his earlier years, he even DJ'd at several events, spinning the oldies from his treasured collection fondly known as "Fat Jack's Stax of Wax." His love of entertainment extended to film, amassing a vast library of movies and becoming so familiar with reruns of MASH* that he could recite nearly every one of the "jockularities.".
On warm summer evenings, he delighted in sitting on his front porch with a cold beer or savoring a glass of his homemade wine. A lifelong gardener, he took particular pride in nurturing his fruit trees and berries, eagerly sharing his knowledge and tips with his children. Each fall brought the excitement of football season-he reveled in watching the Browns, the Green Bay Packers, and Ohio State, often calling family members to deliver his own enthusiastic play-by-play commentary.
Above all, his family was the heart of his life. He took immense pride in his children and grandchildren, cherishing every moment spent together, and leaving a lasting legacy of love, warmth, joy and always keeping in close touch.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Carl B. Lininger Jr. He will be greatly missed by his family which include his daughters, Christa Sanborn
(Mike) and Jennifer Halloran (Daniel); sons, Thomas Lininger (Dana) and James
Lininger; sisters, Mary "Fran" Cooper and Carol "Pinky" Dunn
grandchildren, Andrew Lininger (Laura), Madeline Lininger, John Lininger (Tori), Carissa
Lininger; great-grandchildren, Noah and Parker Lininger; his former wife, Barbara
(Keck) Lininger; his Caregiver and companion, Diane Winston; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Erie Humane Society.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.