John C. McKenzie

The staff at Heishman Funeral Home, send condolences to the family of John C. McKenzie.
John C. McKenzie, age 89, of Wauseon, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Fulton Manor Nursing Home. Born on May 8, 1936, in Fort Valley, Virginia, John was the son of Clarence W. and Julia K. Rinker Plucinski, and Angus Hubert McKenzie, who lovingly helped raise him.
John grew up in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, where his love for the outdoors took root. As a youngster, he learned the value of hard work-tending gardens, chopping wood, and caring for chickens. After graduating in 1955 from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, John married Elizabeth "Betty" Wagner, and together they began a life full of adventure and dedication. A call from his Uncle Vincent led John and his young family to Toledo, Ohio, where he began his long and successful career as an elevator mechanic with Haughton Elevator and later became a proud member and business agent for Local 44 Elevator Constructors Union.
Over the years, John made homes in Fort Valley, Silver Spring, Toledo, Holland, and Whitehouse, Ohio. He was a man of many talents and interests-an avid fisherman, deer hunter, and horseman. He spent countless hours on Lake Erie boating and crafting his own fishing lures, and for nearly twenty years enjoyed a permanent site at Wild Wings Campground in Port Clinton, where he could always be found during fishing season. John also had a deep appreciation for music; he played guitar, loved the blues, and even performed in a rock and roll band in his younger days. Known for his famous buttered spaghetti, shrimp, and chocolate pies, John delighted in family gatherings, good food, and great conversation-especially political debates, which he always won with passion and humor.
John's generous spirit extended beyond his family. He was a dedicated supporter of labor unions, the Democratic Party, and causes that championed working people. He was known for his kindness and willingness to help anyone in need-and once even made the local news for catching a World War II "bomb" while fishing on Lake Erie!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Julia; his sisters, Mary Murphy and Judy Van (Bill) Harris; brother Thomas McKenzie; his daughter, Vicki McKenzie Bucher; daughter-in-law, Carlene Cicerella McKenzie; and son-in-law, Michael Lemle.
John is survived by his brother, Clark (Karen) Plucinski; his beloved children, Charles McKenzie, Carol Lemle, Paula McKenzie, and Julie (Dave) French; grandchildren Ami (Chris) Hens, Jennifer Cloutier, Scott Cloutier, Matt (Jean) Bucher, Olivia (Ben) Lehr, Christopher (Chrissy) Crowder, and Monica McKenzie; nine great-grandchildren with one on the way; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was deeply proud of his family and their accomplishments.
Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, OH. Burial will take place Monday November 17, 2025, at 10:00am at Isaiah Clem Cemetery,1559 Camp Roosevelt Road, Fort Valley, VA, 22652.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice in John's memory.