John E. Keuneke, 63 years old of Rockford, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at his residence following an extended illness. He was born on Saturday, September 24, 1949 in Fort Wayne, Indiana the son of the late Erwin K. Keuneke and the late L. Louise (Heckert) Keuneke. He married Kathleen L. Clouse on August 19, 1972 in St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Ohio City. John served in the United States Army from January 1970 to November of 1971 with the 63rd Armor of the 1st Infantry Division. During his military service, John was a tank turret repairman and rose to the rank of Spec. 4. He was a member of the Life House Church in Van Wert, Ohio and the American Legion Post #346 in Ohio City, Ohio. John was an auto body instructor at Vantage Vocational School in Van Wert, Ohio for twenty-nine years. In addition, he also farmed and was the owner of the Hill-Top Body Shop. Surviving are his wife, Kathleen L. Keuneke of Rockford, Ohio; daughter, Jolyn Keuneke of Englewood, Ohio; daughter, Caryn (Neil) Wenning of Ohio City, Ohio; son, Phill Keuneke of Columbus, Ohio; brother, David W. (Deb) Keuneke of Rockford, Ohio; sister, Linda (David) Leighner of Rockford, Ohio; and four grandchildren, Jacob Haver; Lily Haver; Cora Wenning; and Jaden Wenning. Preceding John in death were a brother, Edward Keuneke and a sister, Donna Keuneke. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home of Decatur with Pastor Matt Braun officiating. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City, Ohio. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, April 19 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home of Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to: St. Paul's Harvest Table Matthew 25 Project, 116 East Fulton Street, Celina, OH 45822.
