John F. Mahler

1936 - 2021

(News story) John F. Mahler, a northwest Ohio farmer and volunteer whose life's work and generosity were inspired by his Hungarian childhood and the bitter aftermath of war, died Tuesday in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township. He was 85.

He'd had a stroke, his daughter, Julia Mahler Miller, said.

Mr. Mahler and his family moved to northwest Ohio in the 1970s from Mineola, N.Y., on Long Island, to be close to the family of his wife, Nancy - she was a Toledo native - and to fulfill his ambition to work the land.

He drew on positive childhood memories before World War II.

"He had saved up enough money. He wanted to have a farm," his daughter said. "It was idyllic for him, that type of life."

The family lived in Whitehouse, with enough acreage to farm, but he also had farmland in Wood and Williams counties, which he managed until recently. He raised hogs early on, but mostly grew corn and wheat.

Starting out, "he wasn't afraid to go up to anyone and ask anyone a question," his daughter said. "He was willing to listen and learn from other people.

"It was part of who he was, to be a part of creating food, so people wouldn't be starving," his daughter said.

He also had worked in the X-ray department of St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee.

He was born Jan. 23, 1936, the eldest son of Julia and John Mahler, and grew up on a farm in Hungary. Russian troops took control of the area near the end of World War II and separated the family, sending his father to work in a salt mine and the rest of the family to a camp in Germany.

"He was starving as a boy. He said there's nothing as terrible as that," his daughter said. "He ate every meal with such gratitude.

"It has such a strong impact on him. He consciously chose to be better after it, rather than be angry or have any resentment," she said.

He was 16 years old when the family, reunited, was sponsored to come to the United States. The family lived at first near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y. After high school, he became a handyman and worked in home construction.

He later became a U.S. citizen.

"He really loved America and understood freedom," said Dave Ford, a cousin of his wife's. Mr. Mahler helped Mr. Ford in coaching duties with the Anthony Wayne rugby team, a club sport at the high school.

In 2015, after several years of effort, Mr. Mahler had his Hungarian citizenship restored.

"We went to Hungary, Budapest. He said, 'I left here as a boy on a train, and I've come back a free man.' It was so moving," his daughter said.

Mr. Mahler was a volunteer for Old Newsboys Goodfellow Association and the Ladies' Professional Golf Association tournament for years affiliated with actor Jamie Farr, which raises money for local charity. He delivered endless canisters of coffee he donated to Cherry Street Mission.

"When you were talking to him, he made you feel not judged," his daughter said. "His point was to help people when they had no hope."

A Perrysburg resident in recent years, he and his wife earlier lived in Waterville.

His wife of more than 55 years, Nancy Ann Mahler, died July 6, 2019. He regarded her brother Doug Badyna as a son - and Mr. Badyna's children and grandchildren as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his daughter, Julia Mahler Miller, and sisters, Suzanne Hilbert and Teresa DiConza.

Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Rose Church, Perrysburg, where he was a member. The service will be live streamed at venue. streamspot.com/?event/?MjUxMjQ1Ng.

The family suggests tributes to saintroseonline.org/?about/?support.

This is a news story by Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com.