John Abbott Graebing , 83, of Irondale , Ohio, passed away peacefully on November 1st, 2018, at Trinity West Medical Center in Steubenville, Ohio, while surrounded by his loving family. John was born on January 7th, 1935 in Youngstown, Ohio to John Hudson Graebing and Mercedes Abbott Graebing and was an only child. John graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia in 1952.
Upon graduation, John attended Wake Forest University, where he played both football and hockey for the Demon Deacons. In 1955, John joined the Coast Guard and served his country for four years. In 1970, John met the love of his life, Sandy Graebing, and they were married on December 4th, 1971.
They had four children, Brent, Steven, Johnny and Sara, and were married for 46 years at the time of his death. John started his career in sales at Browning Bearing and Chain in Cleveland, Ohio and quickly became the Vice President of Sales for the company. In 2000 after 25 years of service to Browning Bearing and Chain, John retired to North Carolina and worked for Enterprise Rent a Car for another 8 years before returning to Ohio in 2008 to be closer to his family.
John was a member of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, an avid golfer, a people lover, a traveler and a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan. Anyone who met John would quickly feel like he had been their friend forever.
He had a way about him that just put everyone near him at ease. John’s lasting legacy of love and devotion to his family is unparalleled. John was happiest when he was gathered with his family, eating, laughing and spending time with those that he loved the most.
John never missed a game, concert, event or party even if it meant sacrificing himself to show his love for his family. He never missed an opportunity to show someone his pictures of his children and grandchildren that he carried with him everywhere and could often be heard telling people about the many accomplishments of his family. John is preceded in death by his father and mother; John and Mercedes Graebing and his granddaughter, Margaret (Maggie) Evans.
John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 46 years Sandra Graebing and by his children Brent Graebing, Steven Graebing, Johnny (Tina) Graebing and Sara (Jamie) Evans. John will forever be remembered as “Pagi” by his grandchildren Aaron Graebing, Bryan (Brittany) Graebing, Parry Kryder, Chelsea Petzker, Rebecka Evans, Zachary Evans and Matthew Evans and his great grandson, Braxton Graebing. Memorial donations in John’s honor may be sent to the American Cancer Society at 304 Johnson Road, Steubenville, Ohio 43952.
John’s life will be celebrated at 11am on November 17th at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 773 County Road 57, Irondale, Ohio 43932 with Pastor John Westling officiating. Send condolences online at www.
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