John Kraly

John Kraly, 78, of Marengo, Ohio passed away surrounded by all his family on November 24, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. John was born March 7, 1945, in Lorain, Ohio to parents Frank and Mary (Ducar) Kraly. He was preceded in death by his parents, his three sisters: Dorothy McGinty, Mary Ann Lemley and Betty Turner, his brother, Frank Kraly, and his good friend and weight lifting coach, Mike Brandon. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sally (nee Stockum); his brother, Tom (Karen); his daughters and their husbands, Jen Ey (Carl), Carrie Freed (Dave), and Laura Knox Lee (Bryan); and his granddaughters, Madison and Reese Knox, Sydney and Morgan Freed, and Emerson Ey. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, JoAnn Kraly, his first cousin, Pat Flowers (Jesse), his close family friend Mary Lou Lesiecki, and many dear cousins and nieces and nephews. John graduated from Admiral King High School in 1963 where he participated in track, wrestling, and choir. He attended Ohio University where he became a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, Varsity Club, and the Olympic Style Weightlifting Club. He also attended Lorain Community College where he was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Academic Society. He worked at Lorain Tubular (U.S. Steel) for 30 years mostly as a Quality Control Inspector. John and Sally raised their three daughters in Brownhelm Township and, after retirement, moved to Marengo, Ohio to watch two of their three daughters continue to prosper and raise their own families in Dublin, Ohio. They were also able to travel often to Alexandria, Virginia to share in their eldest daughter’s successes. He was happy to have all of his daughters living in Ohio for his final years with many wonderful memories made together. John’s hobbies included gardening and classical music. His lifelong passion was Olympic Style weightlifting. He loved his family and enjoyed hosting potluck gatherings with family, friends, neighbors, and newcomers into their lives. He made new friends wherever he went and had a passion for storytelling and making connections through people and experiences. Visiting hours will take place at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Home at 3224 Broadway, Lorain, Ohio on Saturday December 2, 2023 from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM with the funeral liturgy at 11:00 am. Father Andrew Nagrant, pastor of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will take place immediately following the service at the Brownhelm Cemetery on Sunnyside and North Ridge Road, Vermilion, Ohio. A meal will be served immediately following the burial at the fellowship hall of the Brownhelm Congregational United Church of Christ located at 2144 North Ridge Road, Vermilion, Ohio. Donations in John’s memory may be made to the St. Nicholas Roof Fund by mailing a check to: St. Nicholas Church, 2711 W 40th St, Lorain, OH 44053.

John Kraly

March 7, 1945 - November 24, 2023