John Cornelius Sperzel

John Cornelius Sperzel, 85, of Ashland, died Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Samaritan Medical Center.

John was born June 10, 1938 in Mansfield to Jacob and Ella {Maxwell} Sperzel.

John proudly served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1966 where he was involved in the Bay of Pigs invasion, also serving in the Vietnam War. 

John worked loss prevention for K-Mart for over 25 years. He attended the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Ashland. John was a commander for the DAV, he was also a member of the American Legion where he was a chaplain. John was a member of the Kiwanis and the United Way of Ashland.

John will be deeply missed by his sons John G. (Banda) Fountain of OK, Larry (Mindy) Sperzel of Mansfield, and John H. Sperzel of Shelby; grandchildren Zachary (Amber) Lux, Andrew (Summer) Isaac, Tatum Caudill, Larry Jr. (Keilee), Ethan, and Kaitlyn Sperzel, Scarlett Fountain, Xavier and Anastasia Sperzel; great-grandchildren Owen, Autumn, Brayden, Declan, and Melody; and 30-year living companion and friend, Shirley Weiler.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Louise M (Sperzel) Fountain, second wife Cathy (Tackett) Sperzel, sisters Loretta Foulks and Betty Redden, and great grandson Kohen Sperzel. 

Friends may call Wednesday February 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Ashland. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church (and livestreamed at LighthousePentecostalAssembly.org) with Rev. Dr. Paul Tracy officiating. Burial will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, where military rites will be held. Roberts Funeral Home Ashland Chapel, Ashland is assisting with arrangements. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the DAV Chapter 81 at DAV.org.