Slomer

John Slomer, 92, of Butler Township, passed away, Sunday evening, April 28, 2024.

He was born on Sept. 25, 1931, son of John and Mary (Fedorski) Slomer. He had two younger brothers, Robert and Paul, both deceased. Upon the untimely death of their mother when John was 5, the boys were split up, and John was raised by his paternal grandparents in the family homestead on Whitestown Road.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1953 and was stationed in Alaska for two years.

He married Dorothy E. Norling on Nov. 28, 1953. They had three children, John, Richard (deceased) and Paula. One of their joys was a Sunday drive on backroads, where he would point out wildlife in the distance, in turn teaching his children about wildlife and nature. He was thrilled to take to the water when Moraine State Park was created and spent many hours in his fishing boat on Lake Arthur.

A man of faith, he was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where he was a Communion attendant.

John worked for 40 years in Armco’s melt shop in continuous casting.

When he wasn’t working at the mill, you could find him in his vegetable garden where he grew produce for family and friends. Perhaps his love of gardening came from his childhood when working for local farmers. He often retold a story about a potato farmer in Prospect who would recruit the Homeacre boys to help pick crops. He recounted how good this particular farmer treated all the boys, fed them well, and sent them home with their bellies full and money in their pocket.

After retirement, he and Dottie enjoyed ballroom dancing and traveling on bus tours. They also traveled with a group of dancing friends to many resorts where ballroom dancing was featured. It was a joy to see him and Dottie take to the dance floor, especially when a waltz was played.

John was preceded in death by his brothers; son, Richard; and grandson, Chance.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dottie; children, John F. (Ann), Richard’s wife, Emma, and Paula (Joseph McMurry); grandchildren, Tracy, Dana, Nickolas, Melissa and Richelle; great-grandchildren, Ashton, Grace, Ada, Anna, Eryka, Cheyenne and Weston; and three great-great-grandchildren. And last but not least his ginger cat, Kip, who brought him much joy in his later years.

SLOMER — Friends of John Slomer, who died Sunday, April 28, 2024, will be received from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, with services to follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor David Phillips will officiate. Entombment will be in the Chapel of Devotion Mausoleum of Butler County Memorial Park.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.