John Earl Piatt Sr.

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On Thursday, February 9, 2023, John Earl Piatt Sr., of Perrysburg, OH, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. John was born March 12, 1935 to Earl and Ruby Piatt. He was 87 years old.

John grew up in Perrysburg, OH, working at the family bakery and spending lots of time with his friends playing sports, starring in football and baseball for Perrysburg High School, before graduating in 1953. Soon after graduation, John married the love of his life, Kathryn Adams, and they shared 70 years together.

He joined the family business, going on to own and run Mrs. Piatt’s Bakery in downtown Perrysburg with his wife Kathryn until shutting the doors for the final time in 1990. While operating the bakery, he somehow found time to serve as a volunteer firefighter, and raise five kids, remaining involved in all their activities. This is despite working a baker’s schedule, involving early mornings or late nights depending on your definition, getting all the fresh baked goods ready for customers first thing in the morning. Even with the demands of life, he planned an annual camping adventure for his family throughout the United States. John enjoyed baking even once the bakery was closed, and the annual Christmas cookie day became a family tradition. John was in his element during these bake-a-thons, ordering people around, managing the stove schedule, and weighing industrial size piles of cookie flour on his scale. After retiring from the bakery, he went on to spend another decade working for Woodland Elementary School.

John especially loved sports. He and his wife loved attending Perrysburg High School athletic events, and some of his prized possessions are the signed mini basketballs the team would give him following a season. He could always be seen sitting on the sideline at his grandkids games. He was fiercely loyal to anyone in the sports world with some sort of personal connection to him, following Jim Leyland from team to team over the course of his managerial career, becoming a giant John Elway fan after his son operated on Mr. Elway, and in later years, became Ohio’s biggest North Dakota State Bison (9-time FCS champions) when his son moved to Fargo to work with the team.

John’s other big passion in life was food. Once he retired, he spent several years driving around the country to visit his various kids and grandkids where they lived at the time and delighted in discovering new American restaurants. His favorite find was a Culver’s in Wisconsin. There’s not a story anyone in contact with him has heard more than him reveling in the butter dripping down his arm from his first Butterburger, as their most loyal customer. Nothing made him happier than connecting with someone over one of his favorite spots. God forbid if they served Coca-Cola though, as there was no quicker way to make an enemy for life than to serve John Piatt something other than Pepsi.

John was also extremely handy, spending years collecting tools for his woodshop, and building things for all the people around him. He built their house in Perrysburg with his bare hands 64 years ago and still lived in it until his move to hospice. In his younger years, his favorite gifts for his grandkids were things he built, from doll houses to grocery counters, which were immediately some of their favorite toys. He also built countless shelves or other items over the years for Perrysburg teacher’s classrooms.

Along with his wife, Kathryn, John is survived by his children, Kim (Steve) Dane, Bruce (Cathy) Piatt, Lynne (Todd) Huffman, and Kris Piatt; daughter-in law, Sue (John) Piatt; grandchildren, Tara (Nate) Zechman, Daniel (Janell) Piatt, Adam (Aimee) Dane, Bryan Piatt, Shannon (Rob) Solt, Kyle (Jane) Huffman, Chad Huffman, Katie (Tobias) Wernet, Allie (Jhonny) Dane, Ryan (Sarah) Huffman, Ellen Huffman, Courtney (Chase) Gottschalk, and Eric Piatt; 13 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; and brother, Dan (Sandy) Piatt. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, John Piatt Jr., and his grandson, David Piatt.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2023 from 1-5 pm at the Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home at 222 E. South Boundary in Perrysburg, OH, (419-874-3133) where a celebration of John’s life will be held Monday, February 13, 2023 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Fort Meigs Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Road, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.

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