John Francis Feltz

Feltz, John Francis 93 of Fairborn, 2/11/1931-12/5/2024

Some called him unflappable; some called him stoic. Oh yes, he could fall asleep in a straight back wooden chair or even on steps. He never wavered in crisis or stressful situations but remained calm. That was our John.

Oldest of 9 of Raymond (1 of 15) and Olive (1 of 11) Feltz of Mercer County, known as God’s Country. He was predeceased by four sisters and two brothers: Maryann Gray, Eileen Slivinski, Pauline Schemmel Drees, and Kathleen Schmitmeyer; Paul (MaryAnn) and Raymond (Rita). Two brothers survive - Jerome (Patty Jo, deceased) and Ronald (Mary) - along with a plethora of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by sister-in-law Carolyn Hyre Nikolai (Paul, deceased); brother-in-law Alan Hyre (Gladys) is deceased.

John attended a one-room school house in Cassella and graduated from St. John’s (now Marion Local). At age 10 he learned blacksmithing from his uncle and worked his grandmother’s family farm. He worked at Pax Steel Products for four years and then joined the US Air Force where he proudly served during the Korean War era in radar and electronics.

He graduated from The Ohio State University in electrical engineering and plied his talents at Systems Research Labs for 22 years and Pitney Bowes for 15 years, plus working as a consultant until he was 87. Among other projects, he worked on creating an automatic sphygmometer for the space program and a radar flying spot scanner. John also received an MBA from Ohio State.  He and his team at Pitney received multiple patents in radio frequency identification systems.

John tied the knot with Cynthia Hyre in 1962, was married for 62 years and raised two spirited sons, John Christoph and Andrew David, OD (Patty Feltz); grandkids Evan, Amy, and Adam Feltz.

John volunteered as a science fair judge and always gave a helping hand in math and physics to many students. He was an advocate for student scholarships to OSU; he and Cindy had season football tickets for 67 years. His greatest pleasure in life came from just being with his grandkids and making sawdust. He welcomed home projects for family and friends.

John was known for his work ethic, generosity, ability to analyze and summarize problems, and for being a kind and pleasant person. He enjoyed so many experiences, even trying his hand at grape growing and wine making.

He gave credit to his upbringing of faith, family, education, and work. He was a life-long practicing and contributing Catholic.

Thanks to everyone for the large outpouring of love and concern for the family. In lieu of flowers please help a kid with a school lesson or plant a tree for the environment.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the St. Paul Catholic Church, 308 Phillips Street, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. The family will receive friends from 9:00 A.M., until the time of service, Fr. Mike Holleron celebrant. Weather permitting, inurnment to follow at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery, Yellow Springs, OH. Following the inurnment, a luncheon will be held at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 1501 N. Broad Street, Fairborn, OH 45324. Condolences can be made to the family at www.beltonstroup.com