from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — John Willis Jr., 87, of Fort Seneca, Ohio, died Sept. 9, 2014, at Elmwood Nursing Home, Green Springs.

Mr. Willis was born Jan. 15, 1927, in Green Springs, to John Sherman Sr. and Martha (Freeze) Willis. He married Jane (Pence) Oct. 25, 1947, in Tiffin, and she survives in Fort Seneca.

He retired from the U.S. Post Office after 32 years of service and managed Nature Trails Golf Course for eight years. He also was the owner/operator of the General Store in Fort Seneca and owned Pleasant View Stables from 1970-2012. He was an Old Fort School bus driver for 18 years and a softball, baseball and basketball official for 20 years. He also coached various sports at Old Fort School.

Mr. Willis was a member of Old Fort United Methodist Church, Old Fort Men’s Ex-Hi’s, Green Springs American Legion, Tiffin AMVETS, Tiffin Moose Lodge, Old Fort Lions Club, Old Fort Volunteer Fire Department, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and the United States Trotting Association. He also was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Willis is also survived by his daughters, Nancy (Frank) Hoover and Sheri (Brian) Lehner; son, Larry (Lise); grandchildren, Sean (Julie), Eric, Shelby, Taylor and Riley; great-grandchildren, Max, Weston and Nolan; and a sister, Genevieve Pence. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John Russell; brother, Paul F.; and sister, Evelyn Huss.

His funeral will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday (Sept. 13) at Engle-Shook Funeral Home & Crematory, 135 N. Washington St., Tiffin, with Pastor Marc Quinter officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Union Cemetery, Old Fort, with military rites being rendered by the United Veterans Council. Visitation for family and friends will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 11) and 2-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Friday (Sept. 12) at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Old Fort Athletic Boosters or Old Fort Lions Club.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.engleshookfuneralhome.com.