John Randall

John Randall, 63, years of age, and a resident of Oberlin, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at his home after a long five-year battle with cancer.

Born Oct. 6, 1946, in Piqua, Ohio, he graduated from Newton Local Schools in Pleasant Hill, Ohio in 1964. In 1968, he graduated with a BS in Education from Ashland College with a double major in English and History.

For thirty years, he taught high school English in Oberlin, and for twenty-six of those years was the yearbook advisor at Oberlin High School. He was honored as a Martha Holden Jennings scholar in 1987-88.

Following retirement from full-time teaching in 1998, Mr. Randall worked at NACSCORP in Oberlin until the spring of 2000, at which time he returned to the classroom, this time as a substitute teacher for the Midview, Amherst and Keystone school districts. He continued to sub until his illness in February, 2005.

In recent years, Mr. Randall attended Trinity E Free Church and Community Church, both in Amherst, but most recently has attended A Fresh Wind Church, 7474 Deer Trail Lane in Lorain, Ohio.

Prior to his illness, he enjoyed running, swimming, reading and photography. An avid outdoors man he was especially fond of hiking the Rockies during summer vacations and of spending time at the beach in Naples, Florida and Cape May, New Jersey. For most of the years following his diagnosis, he managed to live a full and rich life, until recently even walking five miles each morning. His thoughts, updates and photography regarding his illness can be viewed online at http://web.mac.com/jr106.

Mr. Randall is survived by his wife, Dawn Neely-Randall, of Oberlin; stepson, Nicholas Neely; and brother, Robert L. (Terrie) Randall, of Pleasant Hill, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis John and Mary Esther (nee Coppock) Randall.

A public memorial service was held Saturday at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, pastors Arnold R. Fleagle of Trinity Evangelical Free Church and Marv Wiseman of Grace Bible Church in Springfield, Ohio officiating. A private burial service will be held at Westwood Cemetery.

Hempel Funeral Home handled local arrangements

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Salvation Army - Oberlin, PO Box 15150, Cleveland, OH 44115-0150. Additional information and online register book are available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.