John Edward Soult

John Edward Soult of Martins Ferry, Ohio was born on Jan. 17, 1926, and passed into glory on October 19, 2024. He will always be remembered as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother as well as a loyal and helpful friend to many.
John was born in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Elwood F. and Mable O. (Coffman) Soult. He grew up in Elkins, WV and was a
U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He married Florajean M. Blum on September 30, 1950 and she predeceased him in
2017.
John retired from the Martins Ferry Public Library after 36 years and was awarded the Supportive Staff Member of the
Year Award in 1982 for his dedicated years of service as bookmobile coordinator & in extending branch library
development in Belmont County, for personally bringing the library message and service to countless people through his
staffing and administration of the Belmont County-wide service; and for his selfless work for the betterment of the
Martins Ferry Public Library system which he exemplified in his outstanding supportive staff commitment to the library
and to the Ohio Library Association. He enjoyed interacting with countless school administrators, teachers, students and
members of the public in the various schools and numerous Belmont County communities he served.
John was a 25-year member of the Boy Scouts and served as treasurer for Troop 63, which was sponsored by St. John's
Lutheran Church, Martins Ferry, Ohio. John was an active member of St. John's for over 70 years and at various times
served as Sunday School teacher, Council President, Usher, and was a member of various committees over the years
including the Property Committee, Membership Committee, pastor search committees, etc. He served as President of
the Lutheran Brotherhood, President and Entertainment chairman of the Couples Club, which later morphed into a
Gathering of Friends Club.
John was known as a jokester and storyteller. He loved people and had an engaging, humorous and helpful attitude. He
could fix anything -- being adept at plumbing, electrical, mechanical, carpentry, roofing, etc., to name just a few of his
skills. He was always willing to use his skills, not only for the benefit of his immediate and extended family, but also for
many friends and acquaintances, as well as for the church and the library. As he aged, he was especially focused on
doing household and automobile replacements and repairs for older women and widows, saying he hoped someone
would do those needed things for his wife if he had passed before she did. He was creative and thrifty in this work,
which was always accomplished in an excellent and exemplary fashion.
John and his wife loved to travel. He was an avid camper both locally and across the country. He visited 49 states (sorry
Oregon), most of the provinces in Canada and many places in Mexico. They took nine cruises, including Alaska, Hawaii,
various places in the Caribbean, and thru the Panama Canal. They were members of the Big Band 200 Dance Club and
avid bridge players.
In addition to John's parents and wife, he is preceded in death by daughter, Barbara J. Soult, sisters Helen Collett and
Mary Thomas, brothers Donald, Jack, and Ernest Soult. Left to cherish his memory are daughters Su Saunders (Thomas
Shelton) of Harpers Ferry, WV, and Salli Nelson, Columbus, OH; brother, C. Joseph Soult, Valley Forge, PA, sister Dorothy
LeLande, Trimble, Missouri; grandchildren, Ame Dietz (Raeann Rogers), Martins Ferry; K. Robert Nelson (Karen),
Brooksville, FL and Anna Anglin (Tommy), Key West, FL ; great-grandchildren, JD Nelson, Brooksville, FL, Leian Borsos (Derek), Barnesville, OH, Tara
Dietz, Martins Ferry, and Isaiah Dietz, Wheeling, WV; and great-great grandchildren, Degrim and Juniper Borsos, Barnesville, OH; Eliano "Eli" Dietz, arriving in November; numerous nieces, nephew and friends.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Keller Funeral Home, 615 Hanover Street, Martins Ferry, OH where friends will be received Thursday from 4-6pm and funeral service will be held Friday, October 25th, 2024 at 12 noon with Pastor Chap Holbert officiating. Interment to follow in Riverview Cemetery, Martins Ferry.
Memorial contributions to St. John's Lutheran Church, 40 N. 4th St., Martins Ferry, OH.
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