John Franklin McPeek

John F. McPeek, 95, of Coshocton, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at his residence. He was born in Newcomerstown, Ohio, on July 5, 1920, the son of the late Worthing Alonzo and Laura J. (Marlatt) Van Voorhis. John was a graduate of Newcomerstown High School Class of 1938, and Wittenberg University Springfield, Ohio Class of 1944. John served in the United States Marine Corps during World War ll from August 1943-February 1946 in the South Pacific and Japan with the rank of Captain. He participated in three first wave landings with the 3rd Armored Amphibious Battalion, and accumulated fourteen years reserves with the Marines. He started his career at Shaw-Barton Coshocton Ohio, on April 5, 1946, in the sales department, and became manager of Calendar Sales. In 1953 he became District manager of Shaw Barton in Kansas City and Denver for three years. In 1965 he was employed as Assistant Sales Manager of Novelty Advertising Co., and in June 1969, he became General Manager of the newly formed Yearbook Co with Shaw- Barton and became Vice President of the Yearbook Co. In August 1977 he became Sales Manager of School Annual Publishing Co. of Shaw- Barton, and later became known as JII. John retired in 1984. On August 24, 1946, he married Dorothy (Bennie) Beneke in Wheeling, W. Va., and she survives. He is also survived by two sons: William Worthing (Linda) McPeek of Richlands, N.C., and John Scot (Shelley) McPeek of Coshocton, Ohio, three grandchildren: Ashley Nichole (Stephen) Justice of Jacksonville, NC, Ryan Scot (Camille) McPeek of Coshocton, Ohio, Chelsey Lauren McPeek of Charleston S.C. a step grandson: Jim Medley of Quantico, Stafford, Va., three great grandsons: Lukas, and twins Jaxson and Marcus Justice of Jacksonville, N.C., and one sister; Lura Lee Gee of Columbus, Ohio. John was a 50 year member of the Coshocton Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder, Deacon, and Trustee, the Coshocton Kiwanis Club where he served as President in 1966, he served 21 years on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army including two as Chairman, the Coshocton Elks Lodge 376, the United Way Budget Committee, Coshocton Jaycees, Past President of Lincoln PTO, Parent Music Association, served on the executive committee of the Regional Planning Commission for 21 years, served three terms on the City Zoning Board of Appeals, a long- time member of the Coshocton Town and Country Club. John enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling ( he and Bennie visited all 50 States, Mexico, British Isles, Canada, Nova Scotia, Aruba), and reading, boating, and being Mrs. McPeek’s “lawn boy”. A private family graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Coshocton County Memory Gardens, officiated by Rev. Jonathan Carlisle. A public memorial service will be held in the Sanctuary of the Presbyterian Church in Coshocton, Ohio, in mid- December. Dates and times will be announced later. For those who wish contributions may be directed to the Abiding Memorial Fund of the Church. Given Dawson Funeral Home is serving the family.