John Mathew Shary

John M. Shary, age 89, passed away peacefully at home in Hilliard, Ohio on Saturday, August 29, 2020. Born the second of four sons to Ignac and Mary Sucharyk in a Ukrainian neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, John learned early the essential values of honesty, hard work, independence, education, family loyalty and abiding faith. Preceding him in death were his son, Steven John Shary, his brother, Frank Shary, and his parents.

John graduated from Lincoln High School in Cleveland, where he was an exceptional athlete and a violinist in the school orchestra. Playing center for the Lincoln basketball team, he led them to city and state championships, and maintained his passion and talent for athletics and teamwork throughout his adult life.

John enlisted as an Army private in 1950 with "K" Co. 196th Regt. APO 949, serving as a Russian interpreter in Anchorage, Alaska. While in Alaska, John and his bride, Claire Koeppen of Marion, Ohio, a recent graduate of the nursing program at St. Luke's Hospital in Cleveland, started their family of five daughters and one son.

Settling in Columbus, Ohio, John attended The Ohio State University on the GI Bill and later earned his MBA from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Just out of OSU, he launched his successful career in finance by accepting an accounting position with Peat Marwick Mitchell. His legacy of achievement includes positions of increasing executive responsibility at Industrial Nucleonics, Shoe Corporation of America (SCOA), Beverage Management, Homewood Corporation, and Franklin Chemical, until retiring from Online Computer Library Corp (OCLC) in 1992 as Treasurer and VP for Finance.

John enjoyed golf and tennis throughout his life and served on many professional exhibition charity tennis tournament boards and pro tour matches in central Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. He also guided his son, Steve's, notable high school basketball championship and Junior Davis Cup careers.

John was a dedicated volunteer and fundraiser for many Ohio charities, professional organizations and boards, including: Huntington Trust Monitor Funds, Financial Executives Institute (FEI), VOICEcorps Readers for the Blind, Special Olympics, Knights of Columbus, St. Brendan's Catholic Church of Dublin, Ohio and St. Agatha's and St. Andrew's of Upper Arlington, Hilliard Senior Center, Toastmasters International, Lion's Club, Columbus Association of Performing Arts (CAPA), The Ohio State and Ohio University Alumni Associations, Swim and Racquet Club (president), and Scioto Country Club. He was also the tour leader of the historic People to People Economic Management Delegation to The People's Republic of China in 1986. During his retirement, John could often be found trout fishing with daughter Cara at Briarwood Fish and Hunt Club, and playing bridge and pickle ball with his close friends.

John is deeply missed by his loving wife of sixty-nine years, Claire; brothers Joe and Walter; daughters Rhonda (Lewis Creekmore), Laura, Cara (Tom Griesemer), Linda (Jeffery Logan) and Terri (Jack Fleming); grandchildren Justin and Jared Guzzo, Ryan Shary, Sylvan Creekmore, and Madeline Logan; sisters-in-law JoAnn (Joseph), Rita (Walter), and Alreda (Frank); three great-grandchildren; eleven nieces and nephews and their children. Due to Covid, family will be having a Private Memorial Service on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hilliard Senior Center and Knights of Columbus Saint Brendan Council #11208. For a more complete celebration of John's career and life and to view the webcast of the memorial service, please visit www.schoedinger.com.