John B. Stokes

John B. Stokes, age 77, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 5:45 A.M. on Thursday, August 2, 2012, at Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers in Bryan after an extended illness. Mr. Stokes was the longtime owner of J.B. Stokes Studio in Bryan. His business career has included working as an engineer with Ohio Art Company and The Aro Corporation and as a sales and service manager with Greek Motor Sales in Bryan. In later years he attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and became a pastor with the United Methodist Church, serving at Tedrow and Wauseon. Active in the community, he was an organizer of the Jubilee parade, the Day in the Park talent show, and Lions Club music show. He also was an announcer at the Williams County Fair, coached Little League baseball and girls softball with Charlie Brown’s Allstars, was a Bible study leader, Junior Achievement advisor and served on the ADaMHS board, of which he was a past president, and was Master of Ceremonies for various activities in the area. His memberships included the Wesley United Methodist Church, Bryan Lions Club, Kiwanis, Toastmasters International and Lake George, Indiana, Inland Cat Sail Club, of which he was a past president. Mr. Stokes enjoyed bowling, jet skiing, sail boating, flying sail planes, electronics, his art work, music and singing in the choir, traveling, especially on cruises. He loved being around people and was known as someone who loved to tease. John B. Stokes was born on October 10, 1934, in Ney, Ohio, the son of John W. and Fern (Moog) Stokes. He married Joan L. Mignery on June 20, 1953, in Angola, Indiana, and she survives. Survivors also include two sons, David (Laurie) Stokes, of Yorba Linda, California, and Jeffrey (Michele) Stokes, of Columbus, Ohio; two daughters, Linda (Bill) Miller, of Bryan, and Ann Marie (Steven) Eicher, of Montpelier, Ohio; four grandchildren, Amanda (Russell) Balikian, Trevor Eicher, Jason (Amanda) Stokes and Adam Stokes; and one sister, Carolyn Whetro, of Antwerp, Ohio. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2012, from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Services will be held on Monday, August 6, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. in Wesley United Methodist Church, Bryan, with Pastor Jeff Motter officiating. Visitation will also be held in the church one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in Brown Cemetery, Bryan. Memorial contributions are requested to Wesley United Methodist Church or Bryan Area Foundation Russell Mignery Scholarship Fund.