John Reed Needles

NEEDLES John Reed John Reed Needles, age 92, passed away January 21, 2007. Mr. Needles was born in Hoytville, OH, to John W. and Nelly Kuhlman Needles on January 22, 1914. He attended the Jackson School and as a senior was named to the Ohio Basketball All-State Team. John attended Bowling Green State University where he played football and baseball, graduating in 1936 with a degree in Business Education. He earned his Master's degree from Columbia University in 1941. Mr. Needles began his career teaching business education and coaching at Webster High School and then Celina High School. In 1949, he moved to Toledo where he taught and coached football and basketball at Oregon Clay High School, then while teaching at Robinson Junior High he also served as the Freshman Football Coach at Scott High School. In 1951, Mr. Needles began teaching a Libbey High School where he coached golf and served as business manager as well as Athletic Director until his retirement in 1976. He was the chairman of the Libbey Retired Teachers organization. Mr. Needles was an active Boy Scout Leader, serving for a time as Local Commissioner, and taking scouts to Camp Philmont, New Mexico. In 1950, he designed and built the family home in South Toledo where he and his wife raised their family and resided for over 50 years. Mr. Needles was also active in the South Toledo YMCA where he served on the Board of Managers for 30 years. He was chairman of the fund raising committee and chairman of the board at the time of the building of the South Toledo YMCA and later the swimming pool. He was Past President of Toastmaster's International; the Y's Men's Club and in 1964 was voted to the Legion of Leaders of the YMCA. Mr. Needles was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where he served many terms on Church Council, numerous committees and was a founding member of the Christian Consortium of Retirees. Mr. Needles was also a long time member of Heatherdowns Country Club where he was six times Senior Champion. John married Elizabeth M. Myers in 1939 and she survives along with son, J. Stanley Needles; daughter, Elizabeth J. Needles; and grandchildren, Tenney N., J. Aaron, L. Reed, and Robert S. Needles. Friends may call at Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave., on Friday, January 26, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Services will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1825 Glendale Ave., on Saturday, January 27, at 11:00 a.m. A private Internment service will be held at Van Buren Cemetery at a later time. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor's choice. www.walterfuneralhome.com