Cover photo for John W. Handwerker's Obituary
John W. Handwerker Profile Photo
In Memory Of
John W. Handwerker
1939 2022

John W. Handwerker

April 6, 1939 — November 16, 2022

John W. "Jack" Handwerker, 83, of Celina, Ohio went to be with the Lord, passing away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, married in 1979, their daughter, Jeannie Fortuna, and son-in-law Ricardo.

Jack joins those who preceded him in death: his parents, Bill and Louise Handwerker, his sister, Mary Kaye Ellis, his mother- and father-in-law, Sam and Mae Douglas. We know they will welcome him into the Kingdom of Heaven so they can live together in heavenly eternal peace.

Jack was born on April 6th, 1939 in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Fairborn High School and graduated in 1958. Jack served in the United States Army in the 1960's, were he was selected as an executive officer driver.

Following his tenure in the service, Jack returned to Dayton Economy Drug as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative in Mercer County. He then began working at PCA International in 1976 as a salesman and photographer, where he would work and retire after 30 years. It is while working for PCA that Jack met Carol.

Jack and Carol resided in their home on Grand Lake Saint Mary's where they enjoyed boating and hosting family and friends. In fact, spending time with family was what Jack most looked forward to - especially vacations to the beach.

Aside from being a devoted husband and father, Jack was a very talented singer and loved to entertain. Over the years he performed as the lead vocalist with the Don Howell Combo and then, with his own band, the Midnight Suns. Jack also used his beautiful singing voice to serve his church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, as a member of the church choir for several years. Jack will be fondly remembered as living life "his way".

His memory will be cherished by all of his family, especially his siblings, sisters, Helen Sharp and Roseanne Eichelberger, brother, Tom Handwerker, brother-in-law, Glenn Douglas, and sister-in-law Suzy White, as well as his extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, and close family friends, including Joanie Milano and his goddaughter Gina (Milano) Szewczyk.

Family will be greeting guests from 9:00am to 10:30am on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 6701 OH-219, Celina, OH 45822. Mass will follow at 10:30am. Following Mass, family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at T.J. Chumps, 1100 East Dayton-Yellowsprings Road, Fairborn, OH starting at 2:00pm.

The final burial plans for Jack Handwerker will take place on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, 8200 W National Road, New Carlisle, OH 45344. At 11:00am there will be a Viewing and Remembrance Service at the onsite Chapel. Burial following at 12:00pm with military honors. Please consider sharing a memory or favorite story at the remembrance service.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

To share a memory of Jack or to leave a special message for his family, please visit www.NewcomerDayton.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John W. Handwerker, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, November 26, 2022

9:00 - 10:30 am (Eastern time)

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Service

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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