John, Ruth, & John Ed were wonderful neighbors! They brightened our lives in so many ways & were always willing to lend a helping hand. It was an honor to have known them. Rest in Peace, dear friends.

I find it so disheartening that Uncle John's obituary was written to leave out this man's entire family, though his parents and siblings are now deceased. As we grow up, we build bonds and relationships with our parents and siblings that last us throughout our lifetimes, bring us laughter, tears and the wisdom that one day our family members will begin to leave an empty chair at the table, an unclaimed gift under the tree, a missed birthday or anniversary card...all because they have left us far too soon, regardless of the age at which they left this earthly vessel. To his memory, I would like to say that Uncle John was all that his obituary says, but more...he unfortunately did not die at his residence but of that of a non-family member. Uncle John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bessie Morgan Booth from Jackson, Ohio; in addition to their deaths, he was preceded in death by the following brothers and sisters: Heber, Charles, Don, Jay, Jim, David and sister, Helena. John loved his family and made many trips to Jackson, Ohio to see his family there and visit the gravesites of those buried there. John would stop by his surviving sister-in-law, Eileen's house (Jim) and was met with wonderful meals and coffee at he kitchen table, as were some of his buddies. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Ilene (Jay), and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his memorable Tuesday Breakfast Group that he thoroughly enjoyed and his friend Wilburn (Maggie) made sure he was there as often as he could be with his buddies! You will be missed for many different reasons, Uncle John, but those who love you the most will have the best treasures that no one can take! They are far more valuable than any earthly possession found. May your soul, Ruth's and John Ed's all now rest peacefully with our Lord and Savior!

From my earliest memories John, Ruth, and later John Ed were part of my life. I am Donald Booths 2ond daughter and middle child. I love to tease and joke so of course that invited the teasing of me and John was good at that as were his 5 brothers. His sister Helena was far more serious. They all had a twinkle in their eyes and infectious laughter. They truly knew how to enjoy life. 

John Ed was born with a birth defect. It was corrected when he was 2or 3 and my mother stayed with Ruth through the entire time at the hospital. I would have been at least 7 at the time. 

Many weekends were spent in each other's homes. When they were at our house in Athens, I elected myself John Eds sitter, playmate, and protector. We played in our back yard and spent many hours with various balls and games. Many times John and his older brother Donald, my dad, went fishing, hunting, and I remember them building traps and bringing home snapping turtles which they put in my mom's wash tubs! No way would she go to the basement when they were there. He was accepted among my father's friends and was responsible for finding the fishing camp on MI-Canadian border on the St Mary's River. We went several successive years but our vacations never meshed with his. 

After John left the State Patrol he was head of security for a trucking company. It was dangerous work at times but he also told hilarious stories and I loved those. 

In the last years John had heart surgery and he stopped driving. Friends would drive him to Jim's and Eileen's in Jackson OH. I was there with my mother once working on my fathers grave. (My uncle Jim rescued me.) I had planted a dogwood and made a raised planting area. It was getting dark and I was afraid I'd get locked in at dusk so sent mother to get Jim. He brought tools. Got out of the truck and saw sod I'd put down on the edge of the road. "Sue! What the hell are you doing ?" Explained I couldn't use all the sod so was cleaning up. "God isn't making more dirt so get down here and take this back up!" He sounded just like my dad and I DID it as exhausted as I was. Then he saw the stone and I heard, what's that?" Listen, I said, it's hot. I've worked like a slave and that's my bra! He tossed it in the tree, and when we finished up, in the back of the truck with the tools! I Was too tired to protest. 

We got back to the house and John helped us store the tools and found the bra. He teased Jim about his secret life and Jim was protesting that it's Sue's. I grabbed it and said angrily, it's mine you nuts. And you, (John) always liked my sister best so just have your laughs and we'll head home. (We were all shocked by my out burst and he started to protest. "Don't say a word. We both know it's true. But I 'll tell you this, I know I wormed my way into your heart too"! He said you sure did because you're impossible to ignore! I went on into the house and we watched from the kitchen as they looked at each other, shook their heads and burst out laughing! That was the last time I saw John, but we exchanged cards and letters and he'd call to check on Mother who'd moved here from Athens. 

My friends thought my father twinkled like Santa Claus. All the Booths twinkled as they had a humorous approach to life. I loved them dearly, but John and Jim were truly special to me. 

Their father John Booth. Mother, Bessie Morgan Booth, brothers, Charles, Donald, Jay, James, Heber (died as young child), David, and sister, Helena all predecessors John,Jr. But he is survived by me, Sue, (Robert,Jr.), great nephews, Robert,III, (Shari) and Donald, (Nancy) and great niece, Rebecca Metzger. He has 5 great-great nephews and 4 great-great nieces. There are surviving nieces and nephews all over Ohio for sure as all 7 married and each had 2-5 children! (Thank you for offering this option on your website. ) John Booth,Jr. was well loved and will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew him.

Gregory Booth

I am Donald and Helene's son, John's nephew, Donna Booth Kovacs' and Eleanor Sue Booth Ley's brother. As such, I am a bona fide member of the Booth clan. If I could paint John's picture, the image would immortalize Donna's sentiments describing the fun-loving, easy-going man he was. Along with my dad, he was there when I learned to fish, when I learned to hunt. He taught me how to enjoy the triumphs as well as to accept the missed opportunities, praising success and joking about the fish that got away and the pheasants that lived for another day. John lived life to its fullest and brought those around along for the ride. My wife Sandy and I have not lived in Ohio for more than 30 years but have had pleasant thoughts and memories of John, Ruth and their son John Ed. And, when I think of my dad, I think of John as well, though brothers separated by years they were more like twins. May his soul rest in peace.

DONNA BOOTH KOVACS 
 I am the daughter of one of his older brothers, Donald, now deceased. Uncle John was very SPECIAL to me and one of my FAVORITE uncles. We were very close until he became ill and I moved to N.C. We kept in touch by phone and letters and cards then, until we could no longer. We shared lots of stories. He was a loving, caring and FUN LOVING person and loved to joke.
I will always have loving memories of Uncle John, Aunt Ruth and their son, John Ed. Surviving as his eldest niece, Donna Booth Kovacs, (Ernie) great niece, Lauren Alcala (Tony), great nephew,Brian Rose, great great niece, Jessica Paustian (Arden), great great, nephew Joshua Metz, and great, great great, nephew James Alexander Paustian. I remember the time Uncle John walked across my yard and I thought it was my dad, they looked so much alike, and both had a little silly grin at times when being funny. Uncle John loved to Joke around. We will always have special, loving and fun memories of Uncle John and his family in our hearts. They are now with their maker and caretaker, the one who knew the plans he had for them on the journey of life.

I have great memories of Uncle John and Aunt Ruth, and cousin, John Ed. Many times our families visited each other as John and my dad, Jim, were brothers. Many stories each would tell; many memories made. James (Jim) brother to Uncle John preceded him in death, and Uncle John is survived by his sister-in-law, L Eileen Booth, Jim's wife. Also surviving are his nieces Melanie Booth McDonald (Brian) and great-niece, Tiffany Lee Downey and great great niece, Sydney Downey. Preceding John in death was his great nephew, Jason Lee, son of Melanie Booth McDonald. His other surviving niece in this family is Deborah Booth Johnson (Mike) and great nephews Morgan and Matthew Johnson. As there were many hunters in this family, there are many fish tales and whitetail deer stories to pass around the kitchen table! We always have loved John, Ruth, and John Ed and will forever keep a candle light in our hearts for them! God will look out for their plans long after they have left this earthly home. He is their Caregiver! We miss you all...now you are home together with the One who cares the most!

OBITUARY

John Booth

September 11, 1923 – April 16, 2014

Anderson Funeral Home

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