John Walsh

STRUTHERS - John P. Walsh, died on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at his home, after a brief illness.

He was born in Sharon, Pa., in 1937, a son of James J. Walsh and Margaret M. Kelch Walsh.

Known to family and friends as "Jack," he completed elementary school studies at St. Joseph's School in Sharon. He was a graduate of the Divine Word Seminary in Girard, Pa., the Divine Word College in Conesus, N.Y., and Epworth, Iowa, he earned an undergraduate degree in Philosophy at St. Mary's Seminary in Techny, Ill., and continued further studies there in Theology. He continued postgraduate studies at DePaul University, Chicago, in Music, at the University of Akron and Kent State University in Technology, and at Youngstown State University, where he earned a graduate degree in Linguistics and Literature.

From 1962 to 1964, Jack served as a teacher at St. Aloysius School, where he met his wife, Nona, and musical director at the church, in East Liverpool. In January of 1965, he joined the faculty of Chaney High School in Youngstown, taught Classical Languages and Literature, and for years directed the SAGE writing program in the city schools. He was an active member of the National Council of Teachers of English and the American Federation of Teachers. Active in scouting programs, he served as chairman and institutional representative of BSA Troop 101, formerly at St. Nicholas Church in Struthers, where he also taught for years in the CCD program. Following retirement in 1995, Jack resided in Salem and served in the Columbiana County RSVP Medical Assistance Program (MAP). He was an active member of various ministries at St. Paul Parish in Salem.

He is survived by three daughters, five sons, and 12 grandchildren, Melanie Rauschenbach and grandsons Daniel, Eric and Timothy and their father, David Rauschenbach, of Struthers; Drs. Monica and Steven Brady, and grandchildren William, Matthew, and Lydia of South Bend, Ind.; Megan, of University Heights; Patrick and Jane of Pittsboro, N.C.; Michael and Jennifer and grandson Mickey, of Tampa, Fla.; Thomas and Kelley and granddaughter Nora of Towson, Md.; Kevin and Luisa and grandchildren Alex and Sydney of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Brian and Amber and granddaughters Skylar and Julia of Pittsboro; a sister, Ann Walsh Jofery of Hermitage, Pa.; sister-in-law Bonnie Troy Walsh of Temecula, Calif.; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Linda Pyle of East Liverpool; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Nona Mae Pyle of East Liverpool, who died June 25, 2005; brothers Thomas J. Walsh of Placentia, Calif.; James J. Walsh and his wife, Jean Herald Walsh, of Columbus; and brother-in-law Joseph R. Jofery of Hermitage.

Visitation will be at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, on Sunday, April 19, 2015, from 2 until 5 p.m., and on Monday, April 20, 2015, from 9 to 9:45 a.m., at the Holy Family Church in Poland. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow later in the day at Hope Cemetery in Salem.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Divine Word College, 102 Jacoby Drive SW, Epworth, IA 52045-0380; or to Hospice of the Valley, Youngstown, OH 44512.