John V. Kozel

John Vincent Kozel, 85, of Ashtabula, Ohio, peacefully  passed away  on May 24, 2026, peacefully surrounded by his family.  He was born on August 10, 1940 in Fayette City, Pennsylvania, to John and Helen (Bednar) Kozel.  John’s family moved to Warren, Ohio in 1951.  After years of education in a two room school house,  he found himself placed ahead in school.  John graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1957.  He eventually found himself managing the Isley’s Dairy in Ashtabula where he met his future wife Sandy.  John and Sandy married on October 3, 1964  at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ashtabula and they would have celebrated their 62nd Anniversary in October.  John spent many years working at Rockwell Brake in Ashtabula, and when Rockwell closed, he retired from Worthington Industries in Mentor.  John’s life was centered around service, first and foremost to his family, then to his church and his community. He was a man of great faith. Outside of work, John was a proud and active member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish.  He was an avid golfer, belonging to several golf leagues and was a Cleveland sports fan. He loved to put in a garden every summer and enjoyed cooking with all his homegrown produce.   He was the treasurer of the UAW Local 274 Retirees.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.  While a member of the East Ashtabula Sportsman Club, John managed the concession stand at Massucci Field where he proudly helped to organize softball tournaments for Special Olympics and raise money for local athletic scholarships.   John is survived by his wife of 61 years Sandra (Taddeo) Kozel, daughters Shelley (Barney) Trapp, Deana (Patrick Higgins) Kozel; Beloved and adored grandchildren Julia (Alec) Hambly, Jake Trapp, Jorja Higgins and his first great grandchild on the way, special family members Clay Higgins and Madelyn Higgins, and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Kozel, sisters Francis (Paul) Pilarck, Florence (Bob) Pilarcik and nephews David Pilarcik and Br. Eric Pilarcik OFM.  Calling hours will be held from 10:00 to 11:30 am on Friday May 29th, 2026 at Guerriero Funeral Home ,1550 West 19th Street, Ashtabula.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Peace Parish , 1200 East 21st Street, Ashtabula, at noon on Friday May 29th, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Our Lady of Peace Parish, Ashtabula, Ohio, St. Jude Hospital, or the charity of your choice as John loved giving back.  The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Miami Valley Hospital Neurological Intensive Care Unit for all their  exceptional care and kindness during his brief stay.  

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