John Francis Mahler

John Francis Mahler

John Francis Mahler from Perrsyburg, Ohio, died at 85, on February 2, 2021. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy Mahler, after over 55 years of marriage.

John was the eldest son of Julia and John Mahler and was born in Hungary. His family survived World War II and they immigrated to America arriving at the Statue of Liberty and gratefully achieved personal freedom. John Mahler's family is represented on Ellis Island Memorial Wall.

John and his wife, Nancy, enjoyed Midwestern farm values. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Julia Mahler Miller and son-in-law, Jim Miller, Doug Badyna and his wife, Gayle, and their children, Sarah, Jason and Bridget (his three grandchildren); and five great-grandchildren were all loved deeply by him. John really enjoyed seeing and spending time with family including his two sisters, Suzanne Hilbert wed to Robert Hilbert and Teresa DiConza wed to Anthony DiConza; and his wife's siblings and spouses, Tonnie and Jerry Kuchcinski, Gerry and Sharon Badyna and Danny Badyna.

One of John's happiest life moments was regaining his Hungarian citizenship in 2015 after being dislocated from Hungary as a refugee in 1945. Rightfully now he reestablished his life identity and place in history. John had enormous compassion for world refugees because of his own personal experience. He loved America and all the opportunity she provided to him and his family. He was grateful to be a United States citizen.

After surviving starvation during WWII as a child, John dedicated his adult life to growing crops in Lucas and Williams counties. He wanted to grow and add value to "mother earth" and help feed others. With a big smile, kind heart and an appreciation for life, John was a happy and deeply loved man.

He coached Anthony Wayne High School rugby with David Ford for a decade. He volunteered at local organizations including the Toledo Newsboys and The Jamie Farr PGA tour. Those in need at the Cherry Street Mission enjoyed over 100,000 cups of "Joe" he donated.

With his uncle, Harold Ford, he traveled around the world gaining appreciation of the cultures of Japan, China, Russia, and Europe. While retired, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Nancy, and family; they traveled to South America, Europe and the USA. While retired, he enjoyed spending winters in Florida.

He worked as a farmer, home builder and at St. Luke's Hospital where he enjoyed all his co-workers dearly.

Services will be held on February 6, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose Church, 215 East Front Street, Perrysburg, OH, 43551. The service will be live streamed at ttps://venue.streamspot.com/event/MjUxMjQ1Ng

Please instead of flowers or gifts, please make donations for John at http://www.saintroseonline.org/about/support.