John Curtis Demuth

            John Curtis Demuth, 80, of Gnadenhutten, unexpectedly entered into Heaven on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023.

            John was born at home in Bowerston on December 13, 1942, to the late Roy and Helen (Zimmerman) Demuth. He graduated from Conotton Valley High School in 1960, then earned a bachelor’s degree from Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. John later earned his master’s degree in education from Kent State University.

            He was an educator throughout his life in all he did. He started his career in education as a teacher for Dover, Conotton Valley, and Claymont schools and then became an elementary school principal at Claymont, where he retired after more than thirty years. Following that, he began working for WTUZ radio station, where he became the chief engineer.

            He was also an active member in various clubs and groups. John was in the Tusco Amateur Radio club for more than 60 years, working with and teaching others through a tech forum and club activities. He was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, raised with the Orange Lodge #406, where he also served as Past Master, was a member of the Mystic Tie Lodge #194, was a member of Port Washington Lodge #202, was a York Rite Mason, a Scottish Rite Mason of the 32nd degree, and a Shriner. John was also a member of the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church and participated in Journey through Faith. He was also very involved with the Boy Scouts of America, from which he received the Silver Beaver Award. In his spare time, John loved to garden and hike in the woods.

           Surviving are sons: Karl (Jenny) Demuth of Akron, and Steve (Jennifer) Demuth of New Philadelphia; grandchildren: Curtis, Nathaniel, Thomas, Heather, and Megan Demuth, sister Esther (Jim) Leggett, Brother-in-law Jeffery (Cathy) Bernard, numerous nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat Mittens.

           Along with his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife of nearly fifty-five years Jane (Malterer) who died on August 7, 2021, and a sister Emma Williams.

           A same day visitation and funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, with visitation starting at 10:30 A.M., Masonic service at 11:40 A.M., and funeral service starting at 12:00 P.M. at Koch Funeral Home of Gnadenhutten, 244 N. Walnut Street. Pastor Hyun-Suk Kim will officiate the service and burial will immediately follow in the Gnadenhutten-Clay Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the John Heckewelder Memorial Moravian Church, 133 S. Walnut Street or the Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church at 220 N. Walnut Street. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kochfhgnaden.com.

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