John Henry Pavel

John Henry Pavel, 90, of Van Wert, passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020, at Van Wert Hospital. He was born August 27, 1930, in Delphos, OH to Matt and Gladys (Fackler) Pavel; both preceded him in death. He was united in marriage to Betty Unland on April 1, 1953. She preceded him in death on March 28, 2000.

John is survived by his sons, John Michael (Margaret)  Pavel of Van Wert, James Pavel of Cecil, Joseph Pavel and Daniel (Jenn Beery) Pavel all of Van Wert; a daughter, Denise (Duane) Scheiderer of Van Wert; 12 grandchildren, Daric Scheiderer, Dustin (Kellie McClanahan) Scheiderer, Catlyn Pavel, David (Gina) Pavel, Scott Pavel, Krista (Mike) Hill, Keri (Jarod Delgado) Pavel, Kara (Elliot) Tempel, Kershin (Josh) Leiter, Kelsey Pavel, Beth Anne Brooks, and Heather Harsh; 12 great grandchildren, Kamden, Leigha, Kenna, Kenten, and Kohen Hill,  Ellyonna, Braylee, Kraeton, and Vexten Tempel, Tatum Leiter, Charlotte and Joey Brushway, and Josh and  Emily Sizemore.

 He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; infant great-granddaughter, Ryleigh Hill; brother in law, Walter Mazelin; niece, Susan Unland Bailey; and nephew, Jeffery Unland.

John served in the United States Marine Corps where he earned the Excellent Marksman Award.  During the Korean War, he was in combat and received two purple hearts.  John was a member of the Van Wert VFW post #5803, and Van Wert County DAV Chapter #54. For several years, he enjoyed being a member of the color guard. He attended the Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert, and he volunteered at the Trinity Friends Food Pantry where he helped prepare the bags for food distribution.  He was an outdoorsman at heart.  Fishing was one of his favorite things to do.  As a kid he loved building tree-houses so high that he was the only one able to climb into them.  He was an expert creating his own kites from newspaper, making his own glue and wood winders for the string.  He loved listening to country and gospel music. In his younger days, he played guitar and mandolin with his friends. He loved to bicycle and visit with people.  In May of 2015, he was on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C.  He loved God and his country and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Funeral services will be Monday, December 21, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, OH. Friends may call from 11:30 until the time of service.  Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Van Wert DAV Chapter #54 or Trinity Friends Upward Ministry.    The family asks that strict Covid-19 guidelines be followed with masks and social distancing at all services.