John Vincent Gonya

John Vincent Gonya, 83, of Fremont, OH, passed away on September 17, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 29, 1941, in Fremont, OH, the son of John S. and Ruth T. (Smith) Gonya. He was a 1959 graduate of St. Joseph High School and received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance from The Tiffin University in 1963. John married Frances J. Crockett on May 1, 1965 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Washington, DC and she preceded him in death on July 11, 2020.

John served in the United States Army for six years and was honorably discharged in 1969. John began his career at the Ford Motor Company in Sandusky, was an insurance advisor with The Prudential Insurance Company of America and a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow for twenty-nine years until he retired in 1998. After retirement, John returned to the work force as an investment banker for the Croghan Colonial Bank in the investment department for six years.

John was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was an usher, Eucharistic minister and served on parish council. He was also an active member of the Exchange Club and Kiwanis Club. John loved to volunteer at the Gonya-Hull Game Feed and was previously awarded volunteer of the year award. He volunteered many hours at ProMedica Memorial Hospital for many years and truly enjoyed his time spent there helping others.

John was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Fran, during their entire fifty-five years of marriage. He was a loving father to their three daughters. Lisa (Frank) Cumella, Lima, OH, Sharon (Brad) Hall, Cleveland, NC and Julia (Geoff) Vasquez, Toledo, OH. John loved and enjoyed his many grandchildren, Alexa (Sean) Roche, Ava (Andrew Schuermann) Nieman, Jacob and Nicholas Nieman, Ashton (Becca) Haunhorst, Ayden (Kyla) Morgan, Addison and Olivia Vasquez, Anthony, Giovanni and Gianna Cumella, Carlee Hayes and Morgan (Jonathan Wilson) Hall; great grandson, Solen Lee Wilson. He is survived by his siblings, Thomas (Margie) Gonya, Fremont, OH, James Gonya, Westerville, OH, Jane Gonya, Cincinnati, OH and Gerry (Linda) Gonya, Fremont, OH. John is also survived by several nieces and nephews and lifelong friends. He and Fran loved to entertain family and friends in their beautiful home, whether it was summers in the pool or celebrating the holidays.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John S. and Ruth T. (Smith) and wife, Frances J. (Crockett) Gonya.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, September 22. 2024 from 1 to 5 p.m.at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E State St., Fremont, OH.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, September 23, 2024; 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 709 Croghan St., Fremont, OH.

Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Fremont, OH.

Memorials can be made to:

St. Joseph Catholic Church. 709 Croghan St. Fremont, Ohio 43420

or 

Gonya-Hull Game Feed. Make checks payable to: Fremont Area Foundation 503b.  3379 County Road 174. Fremont, Ohio 43420