Name: Karlo-Libby Funeral Home & Sunset Hills Memory Gardens
Address: Canton, OH

Many, many years ago, I could count on one thing.  John calling at midnight on New Year's eve.  John was a person of great integrity and clearly impacted many individuals.  

I will never forget the afternoon you took me to the DoubleTime to get me drunk before our Western Cult Exam.
You got a C and I got an A+.
You were so mad.
I will remember and miss you forever.

Your Big Brother
Gary

I met John when I pledge Delta Tau Delta at the University of Akron.  He had graduated a couple of years earlier, but still enjoyed hanging out with some of the brothers.  I'll never forget the number of times John took time and listen to me when I need to talk, or felt alone.  He was a great friend and will be sorely missed.
Ronald Edmunds  Eta Class of '88

John always treated me as part of his family. He will be missed more than words can express. He is one of the reasons I sail a Thistle to this day. Jump on was all I ever heard when approaching his boat. As a teenager I spent more Wednesday nights, Sunday afternoons, and full weekends on a boat with Terri and John than I could could count. 
When I started a family and low on money John and Terri rented us their condo for the price of a cleaning fee. Granted it was off season, but it was a memorable and needed vacation for Gillian and I. 
Your generosity, kindness and fun filled attitude have impacted everyone you touched. You made people around you better and for that your legacy will live forever. I miss you. 

We were surprised and saddened to hear about John’s passing. He was such a great guy and will be missed by many.

Regal Metal Products

While reflecting on John and his life, you notice that John took great joy being around people and even greater joy in doing for others.  It is the essence of who he was and how he lived his life.  He is loved and will be missed.  He is responsible for creating  many happy memories in all of us and for some really corny, funny and even groaning, bad jokes!

Heaven has gained an angel and we lost one of our most dearest and closest friends. John was funny, witty, charming and the perfect gentleman. Always willing to help a “damsel in distress.” Whether it was holding a door, retrieving a lost belonging or just being courteous. I always felt safer whenever John was around keeping an eye on us ladies. I truly believe John will continue to keep an eye on us all, has our guardian angel. Rest In Peace my friend!

My first introduction to the Kerr family 15 years ago was meeting John and Terri at a Bob Seaver tribute concert. It was ordained that we were avid Seaver fans, though I let John out-sing me. Terri completed the triumvirate when we compared “ Calvin & Hobbes” books and discovered our “aces and spaces” meshed perfectly. John made up for our having to explain jokes to his mother-in-law (at which point they ceased being jokes) by completing my larder of jokes, and picking and choosing from mine to complete his. 
How could such a marriage made in heaven-that’s NOT WVA—not continue?  John skied. He never accepted the concept of snowmobile air pollution being a trade-off for FUN!! John and Terri sailed, firmly believing that wind gusts, wet butts, and being late for everything were an acceptable trade-off for a mast being a lightning rod, and the whole shebang being adequate trade for a four- strokes quiet putt-putt.
Okay, John, you chickened out, didja? The Motor Doctor is locked and loaded, ready to give you the fastest sailboat in Ohio. 
I know there’s no one as incorrigible as you, which is why we hit it off, and I’ll miss you. I’ll still listen for your directions how to do “stuff,” but I’ll send you a bill for having to listen. Meanwhile, we’ll try to convert Terri. 
I loved you too short a time. 

I’ve felt like I’ve had five sons, rather than my my four, for the last 33 years. It was never necessary to write in- law after John’s name. He was that man and fit right in with our large family. 
John was always there,  with his infectious smile, to help no matter who needed it or when it was needed. 
The latest example for me has been in the last seven months or so when I was looking for a house to buy for my move back to Ohio.  John was always with a ready yes, saying that he’d go with the realtor to look at another house for me. Without his help I’m not sure I would have found that house and be moving to Ohio  in October, just in time to be closer to Terri. 
I have years of wonderful memories being with  John.  We enjoyed his staying with us for a couple of weeks in recent years when  he was working to sell electricity here in Virginia. 
John leaves a deep sense of loss in my heart. Rest In Peace John. Love, Mom (Mamalou) 


JOHN WAS A GREAT BROTHER-IN-LAW, UNCLE, AND FRIEND.
HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IN MANY WAYS. JOHN TAUGHT HIS NEPHEWS JOSH AND ZAC SOME LIFE LESSONS (SOME WHICH WE PROBABLY DON'T KNOW OR EVEN WANT TO KNOW ABOUT- HAHA).  HE ALSO TAUGHT THEM HOW TO SKI AND SAIL.  JOHN WAS A GREAT GOLF PARTNER ON THE BOGEYMAN GOLF LEAGUE, AND I COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON SEEING HIM ON TUESDAYS/LEAGUE DAY. 
TERRI AND JOHN HAD SOME AMAZING HALLOWEEN PARTIES, COOKOUTS, COMPETITIVE CARD GAMES.  HE WOULD BE THE FIRST TO CALL YOU OUT ON ANYTHING AND WOULD NOT BACK DOWN. 
ONE OF MANY FOND MEMORIES WAS CHRISTMAS EVE, WHEN THE KIDS WERE VERY YOUNG, OUR ELECTRIC WENT OUT.  JOHN AND TERRI OPENED UP THEIR HOUSE TO US.  JOHN TOOK THE TIME AND PUT OUT SOME COOKIES AND MILK, OF COURSE TOOK A BITE OUT OF THE COOKIE.  CHRISTMAS MORNING HE MADE GREEN EGGS.  
TERRI AND JOHN WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR US.
EVEN THOUGH JOHN IS NOT HERE IN BODY, WE KNOW HE IS LOOKING DOWN AND WATCHING OVER US.
YOU WILL BE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER JOHN.


I always loved visiting Uncle Johnny at my Grandma Helen and Grandpa Fred’s home in North Canton, Ohio.  We would go jogging on a local track.... I too remember that cool car he had – a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.  John was very very cool to his 7 year younger niece!  I especially remember his cassette tapes and vinyl albums of super music- my sister Ann and I would jam out in the back seat of his smoking cool car to all our Uncle’s brilliant 70’s and early 80’s music!  Pork steaks on the bbq were another big thing when in Ohio, usually followed by listening to Louis Armstrong on the ‘stereo’ in the living room.  We also watched a lot of football when we were there and I’ll never forget watching Doug Flutie throw the Hail Mary pass in 1984 that gave Boston College that INCREDIBLE game over Miami!!!  

Equally as memorable was when he would come to visit in Connecticut and we would go to NYC for a special holiday Broadway outing and come back to some very fun evenings at my parents’ home.  John was the best-- and marrying Terri was one of the best decisions he ever made!  I love how John and Terri lived the life they wanted to live and we will never forget the special times we spent with them throughout our lives.  By the way, John and Terri’s wedding rocked, I can’t find a picture from it but we had a REALLY great time!  They were very kind to Jimmy and me and let us stay at their home several times as we drove back and forth to Chicago from  Washington, DC.   Rest peacefully Uncle John!  Much love, Julie and Jimmy O’Connor

John was my Mom’s  youngest brother - and was always a very kind soul.  My memories of him include traveling out to be with our family for holidays in Connecticut with my Grandma Helen and Grandpa Fred. So many warm nights by the fire drinking egg nog and singing Christmas Carols that my Mom arranged! Also many visits to their house in Ohio - where I got a kick out of going through his record albums and baseball card collections! He had the coolest car at the time too - a Camaro! I remember his wedding to his beautiful bride Terri - and I was so happy to see that they both found true love in this lifetime.  Love is eternal and John will live on forever in our hearts and memories. We will miss you John! And we are here for you Terri. Love, love and more love ❤️ Ann Hughes

Those we loved don't go away. They walk beside us everyday. Greentown Gang has lost a great one, Holden Beach will never be the same.
We will miss you John,
love
Janet Paxton & Tammy Wilkes

There are a couple of memories about John that come to mind like no one else. First, who can forget that smoking hot 1970s Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in black with gold trim he cruised around  in high school! And, John was way out in front of the curve brewing his own beer in several flavors long before craft brews became a universal phenomenon. He was one of a kind.

John was the youngest of 5 children. He had 3 brothers and one sister. John had enormous personality influenced by all those siblings
He was seven years old when Brad and I were married..,our ring bearer with extreme maturity and poise. 
John was loved by all. We played tennis, enjoyed Broadway shows and shared many Thanksgivings and Christmases over the years.
John married Terri Kerr in 1989. They shared 32 happy years together. 
We miss John and know he is in heaven with his Mother, Father and brother Fred. 
Cheers John…TILL WE MEET AGAIN.

We have known John for 33 years, when Terri brought him to Earl's Bachelor Party with the "Greentown Gang". Neither knew anyone, so they started talking..........We have so many endless memories with John and Terri that go way back. Going to Holden Beach over Labor Day weekends with the Gang, , parties, weddings, their condo at Myrtle Beach, weekends at our cabin in the mountains.....the list goes on and on. Terri, our love and prayers continue to be with you always.

Terri, John loved you so much !
You Two Are Soulmates FOREVER !!!

So John, as you are sailing off into the blue skies, remember how much you are loved and how Deeply we ALL will Miss You.

John was such a kind & generous person. He genuinely loved helping people.
I had so much fun being the "third wheel" with Terri & John - going on vacations & doing so many fun things with them. He was so much like a brother to me.
I know John will join Dad & keep Richie company. And I will be right beside Terri getting through all this.
Things can change in an instant. Take a page from John's book & be kind to one another.

Dear Terri, Wishing you strength for today and comfort in the days ahead knowing how much John meant to so many. May cherished memories bring you moments of comfort. May the Lord bless you and wrap his love around you. Our Very Deepest Sympathy, Ken and Lesa Miller

My sincere condolences to the John Zaegel family. So sorry to hear of his sudden loss. We were clients of Muirfield. He was more than a trusted service provider, he was also a friend. You are in my prayers. 

Terrie Baker
Baker’s IGA

Dear Terri,
We prayed hard that John would not succumb to this horrible pandemic but it was not meant to be.  I want you to know how devastated I was when the news came that he had passed.  John was more like a brother than a cousin to me as we were growing up.  Jon and Chris have a fond memory of going sailing with the two of you when you kindly offered to have them visit while we moved.  I remember sitting on the sofa in Helen and Fred's living room holding baby John just a few months after he was born and I will share a photo of that with you.  Stay strong, as he would want you to.  Love, Cynthia

When I think of John I always think of his beautiful smile and his wonderful laugh.    To me I have always thought of John and Terri as being a perfectly matched couple, with so many of the same interests and the love of books.  I know him and Steve are in heaven together reminiscing about all our Labor Day adventures together and watching over all of us.  He was a wonderful addition to our "Greentown Gang" and will truly be missed by all of us. 

I will cherish the time I was able to spend with John as we worked on many Habitat for Humanity fundraisers and especially when we worked together putting up drywall  in the homes.  He was kind, caring and always had a beautiful smile.

Our love and prayers are with Terri and the rest of John's family


To my dear cousin. Terri.  It is never easy to find the words that can fully capture the depth of such a loss.  John was so kind and had an infectious smile that I will never forget.  I pray that God gives you strength during this unexpected, painful time.  May Johns soul Rest In Peace🙏🏻.  Love you always & forever

I have known John for about 30 years. I met him when he joined Berlin Yacht Club where I was a member. John and Terri were regulars racing their Thistle on Berlin. When Terri could not sail for some reason John was quick to find another crew or crew on someone else's boat. John sometimes sailed on my boat and I sometimes on his. John will be missed, he was a good friend and a good person.


We have had so many amazing adventures together.  John will be forever remembered and forever missed. One of our favorite memories was the Cozumel Bar Hop where we all wore our “If John ain’t happy nobody’s happy “ shirts. We will truly miss these fun times. Our hearts go out to Terri who has been my dearest friend for 50 years. God grant you peace and healing. John will live forever in all our hearts.

I just sailed with John at the Kick-Off Regatta on August 28. Jamison Burt was the third. We beat boats every race and had a great time.
There are so many things to remember. I sailed with John and Terri at Thistle  Nationals in Holland, Michigan where we had to fight off the biting flies. With Sarah Paisley we were chased off the lake by a sudden thunderstorm. While flying the spinnaker I spotted pelican at Berlin. John teased me about that for many years.
I worked with John on yard, garden, and house projects at both our homes as well as at the houses he was fixing up to flip. He and Terri  took turns with Warren and Dianne Duckworth and me to host dinner and table games a number of times.
John, I miss you already and I'm keeping you and Terri in my prayers.

We are saddened to here of John’s passing.  He was a great brother-in-law and uncle.  Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Terri and the family.   

OBITUARY

John Louis Zaegel

January 6, 1960 – September 18, 2021

Karlo-Libby Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services