John R. Brenneman

John R. Brenneman, of West Jefferson, Ohio, age 89, passed away on July 22, 2025. He was born in Delphos, Ohio, on November 19, 1935. He graduated from Delphos Jefferson H.S. in 1953, joined the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1961 with a business degree. He was a member of The Ohio State bowling team for three years, and was men’s single Champion in 1958. He bowled in the Columbus Scratch Leagues for many years, and had a high single game of 299, and a 3 game high series of 769. He served as personnel manager for several large companies before starting Brenneman Enterprises, a group of coin laundries and dry-cleaning businesses. He provided free cleaning of American flags, and received a patriotism award from the local VFW Post 7005. John and his late wife, Mary, had 56 great years together. The first night they met, he told Mary he only dated intelligent women, and asked her to spell “hemorrhoid”, she could, and they were married in less than a year. He never had the nerve to ask Mary if she regretted being such a good speller. The West Jefferson Community, schools, and students have always held a special place in John’s heart. In 1984 he formed the West Jefferson scholarship Fund and served as its Chairman for 4 decades. In 1986 he founded the Adopt-A-Family at Christmas, and served as its Chairman for 10 years. He served on the Jefferson Local School Board for 8 years. John was very active in the West Jefferson Boosters, having served many terms as President, and Vice President. In 2000, He was selected fan of the year in 1982 by the State Championship Football Team, and in 2008 and 2017 by the wrestling team. In 2003 he received the West Jefferson Alumni Association Community Service Award, and in 2013 a Support and Service Award from the Jefferson Local Board of Education. He truly believed, and lived, by his motto, “Any community worth living in is worth making better”. John knows he was truly blessed throughout his life; caring parents and siblings, a loving wife, 2 great children and 6 wonderful grandchildren. He will be remembered for his kindness, laugh, sense of humor, honesty, and his dedication to charity. He will live on in the hearts of so many who were blessed enough to know him and be part of his life.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (Ross) Brenneman, parents Roland and Freda Brenneman, father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Kathryn Ross, brother Robert and sister-in-law Barbara Brenneman, brother-in-law Thomas Ball, brother-in-law Donald Weber, brother-in-law Herbert Ross, and aunt Louise Zitzman.

He is survived by his daughter, Johna (Thomas) Thompson, son Craig (Lori) Brenneman, sister Marilyn Weber, grandchildren Wesley (Amber) Thompson, Trent Thompson, Lucas (Idalia) Thompson, Logan (Katie) Thompson, Hannah (Mitchell) Bonnstetter, John Ross Brenneman, great-grandchildren Stella Thompson, Clive Thompson, Brynn Bonnstetter, Leon Thompson, and nephew Benjamin Ross.

Visitation will be held 2:00p.m.-5:00p.m. SUNDAY at the RADER-MCDONALD-TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 1355 W. MAIN ST., WEST JEFFERSON, OH, 43162 and from 10:00a.m.-11:30a.m. MONDAY, JULY 28, 2025. His Funeral Service will immediately follow the visitation on Monday and begin at 11:30am. John will be laid to rest at Sunset Cemetery, Galloway, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Jefferson Scholarship Fund, c/o The Columbus Foundation, 1234 East Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205-1452 or on-line: www.columbusfdn.fcsuite.com or to the West Jefferson Athletic Boosters, c/o West Jefferson High School, 1 Roughrider Drive, West Jefferson, Ohio, 43162.

To share your favorite memories or condolences, please visit: www.radermcdonaldtiddfuneralhome.com