John F. Hellwig

John was born on May 31, 1943 and went home to the Lord on July 23, 2020.

He was a loving husband to June (nee Graber) and married 52 years.  Devoted father to Debbie Afsarifard (husband Kamran), Susan Keeley, and John (wife Cindy).  Cherished papa to Roya, Leah, Nick, Tyler (wife Meaghan), Meggyn, Alana, Cassidy and Allie.  A proud great grampa to Everett, Meredith and Shepherd.

He was the son of John and Winifred Hellwig (both deceased).  Dedicated brother to Roberta Shinhearl (husband Robert deceased), Hollace Vavra (husband David), Denise, Dana, Timothy and the late Alan, Heidi Klein and Andrea.  John was an uncle to many nieces and nephews.    He also leaves behind his special friend "Peeper Boy".

John was born at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland, and grew up on Wilmore Avenue in Euclid and then Lowden Road in South Euclid.  He settled into Cleveland Heights and then South Euclid to raise his family.  While starting out pumping gas, John became a talented and gifted mechanic, self-taught at the age of 15.  His love for cars began as a child, when he built a soap-box with his father, and entered into the South Euclid Soap-Box Derby near Monticello Road.  He married June in 1967.  John was a proud, hard-working man, dedicated to his family.  After retiring at the age of 62, he and his wife resided in Painesville.

He loved watching NASCAR and Cleveland Indians baseball.  His 1976 corvette was his pride and joy.  John enjoyed cooking, and took over preparing Sunday Dinner to let his wife have a day off.  For 50 years, there was always a roast and mashed potatoes on the table for Sunday's dinner.  He also took over the Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas meal.  His family always looked forward to his delicious carrot mashed potatoes and stuffing.   "Peeper Boy" his yellow parakeet, waited daily on the side perch for a shared snack of a cheese-it cracker or a cheese puff.  John would have conversations with him in hopes that one day he would actually respond with a repeated word.  To John's surprise, the bird somehow learned the T-Mobile ringtone, and would sing it daily.

A special thank you to the nurses and doctors of Hospice of the Western Reserve, Euclid, for their care, devotion, and warmth shown to John during his final days.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a small private service is planned for the immediate family only.  Interment at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to Hospice of Western Reserve in John's memory.