John Soulsby
January 14, 1943 ~ May 1, 2024
John Earl "Sonny" Soulsby, age 81 of Madison, passed away peacefully at Summa Hospital on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Born on January 14, 1943 in Gallitzin, PA, he was the son of the late Earl “Sonny” and Margaret (Mauk) Soulsby. He married Connie Kiel of Portage, PA on January 7,1967.
John was proud to serve in the U.S. Air Force in Germany from 1962 to 1965. He retired from Caterpillar where he worked in the Engineering Department. John was the owner of Mentor Signs & Graphics; a sign company in Mentor, Ohio. In his free time, he loved spending time with his grandkids, working on classic cars, playing guitar, painting, garage sales, jukeboxes and truly enjoyed relaxing by campfires outside his Madison home.
John is survived by his loving wife, Connie; Sons; Douglas, of Kent (married to the former Liz Diaz, California), David, Silverlake, OH (Married to the former Asha Padamadan of Chicago) and Daniel (Danny) of Hudson, OH (Married to the former Mindy Mastadonna, Cuyahoga Falls, OH.)
He is also survived by his brother James Soulsby, (married the former Brenda Breeden), of California, and his sister Jo Ann Mahalko, Nanty Glo, PA. and Step Sister Sharon (Llewellyn) Benzel married to David Benzel, Indiana and his brother-in-law Mike Gongloff, Nanty Glo, PA; John’s grandchildren are Joseph, Priya, Zoey, Ava, Colt, Johnny, and Damian Soulsby.
Family and friends will be received from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 26 River Street in Madison, OH 44057. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 10, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2846 Hubbard Road in Madison, OH 44057. Donations may be sent to St. Vincent DePaul c/o ICC Church.
The Behm Family Funeral Home is assisting the family at this time. Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com.
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Hello Papap I miss you and always will! Even though I won’t get to see you anymore and I have to grow up without you but at least you got to see me turn 13!! I love you to all of the way to the moon and back. Please if you can, say hi to my favorite Jake, Buddy, and Ginger! I miss all of them and you so so so much. It’s going to be hard in life to not be able to make hot dogs and marshmallows without you but now that I’m older there won’t no more always being scared to go up the big stairs in the big garage with the cars!! Helping you take buddy outside to go to the bathroom, and always watching movies in the high heel chair with our favorite drink Arnold Palmer’s, will be my favorite things about spending time with you. And you can’t forget the guitars and drums in the basement! I will always have such beautiful memories with you and mama!❤️ I unconditionally love you! but, life will be hard without you here, but god had made a very special spot for you next to my little Jake and your little Buddy! Don’t worry! Whenever you need me, just send me little signals to remind me that you are watching me. It was very hard for me to see you in the hospital bed and quite week but the good thing is that you aren’t in pain anymore, but it still hurts to remember that you are really gone forever.
I love you very much Papap, and always will.
-Your 13 year old granddaughter Zoey Soulsby❤️
Doug and family, my heart goes out to you all. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so blessed for all the memorable times and the opportunities to spend with your dad. Your parents always opened their home for me and how they both welcomed me as part of the family. I’ll never forget that. Remember when your dad came to pick us up from the class reunion and eating pizza after we got home, hanging out on the back porch. He was so thoughtful and concerned that me, you and Liz made it home safe. Such a great guy!! So many memories. Doug, your dad was awesome and he’ll be missed. I love my best friend.
In memory of John
“Sonny”
Soulsby, Jim & Tami Mangina lit a candle
My Condolences To the Family on your Loss,
My Great Uncle Thomas Soulsby lived in Phillidelpia from 1921 , He came from Tudhoe Co.Durham England. His wife was called Green, They had a number of Children.
Again my Condolences
I worked at Caterpillar with John. He was one of the nicest people I have known. He had a very likable manner about him. Hard to describe but I loved to talk with him. My friend Chuck Ehinger from Caterpillar kept in touch with John and bought a jukebox from him.
I loved seeing his picture and smiling face. God give him rest in his Kingdom I pray.
Dear Connie, You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Charmaine and Joe Kotar
Fred really enjoyed working on Johns Old Cars. We all Loved his Peach Woodie Car and the cool suitcase and such he had in the truck. We will miss seeing John at Fred and Jeff Garage, smoking his cigars and talking about their Oldie Vehicle’s. Our condolences to his Family and all Johns Friends.
Rest In eternal peace my friend. It was nice knowing you. You always had great stories to tell when you came over to see me at my house. GOD BLESS YOU JOHN & Family!
Sorry for your loss 🙏
We are sad to hear of John’s passing. Our sympathy to you, Connie & your family. 💜
Connie and family,
I was saddened to hear of John’s passing. I always enjoyed talking to him at American Legion Post 112. He was always a very positive person and seemed to love life.