John Vlad

John Vlad, 85, of Dover, died August 16, 2006, in Union Hospital, Dover, following a heart attack, which occurred two weeks ago.

Born September 16, 1920, in Canton, John was a son of the late George and Mary Bacu Vlad. He grew up in a devout Romanian Catholic family. John graduated from Dover High School in 1941, and soon afterward entered the United States Army Air Force. He attended classes at Mississippi State University, and during the Second World War was a pilot instructor for B-25 aircraft. John attained the rank of Major by the time of his discharge from the service. He went on to serve twenty-nine years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

John was employed by the General Telephone and Electric Co. for thirty-five years before retiring in 1984 as a special equipment installer. He helped organize the Communications Workers of America union at GTE, and served both as its local president and treasurer for many years. John was also a charter member of the Eastern Credit Union.

He received great joy from playing both Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, which he did for some forty years in homes, clubs and civic organizations. John loved his family and time spent with them, which included trips to air shows and much story-telling.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Drum and Bugle Corps, all of Dover. Additionally, John belonged to B.P.O.E. Lodge 510 of New Philadelphia.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-one years, Joan Cree Vlad; three daughters, Laurinda J. Gribble, and Melanie S. Vlad, both of Dover, and Valerie J. (husband, Jeff) Mullen of New Philadelphia; a son, John A. (wife, Sheryl) Vlad of New Philadelphia; four grandchildren, Shawn and Heather Gribble, Brandon Vlad and Valine Mullen; three great-grandchildren, Justus and Jaylin Woods, and Timberly Gribble; a sister, Virginia (husband, Jim) Horn of Dover; and a brother, George Vlad Jr.; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a sister, Irene 'Rally' Vlad; and by two brothers, Michael Vlad, and by Raymond Vlad, who was killed on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, during the Second World War.

John�(TM)s life will be celebrated in a service Saturday, August 19, at 1:30 p.m., in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park, where the Dover post of the V.F.W. will conduct military rites. Family and friends are invited to call Friday (today), August 18, 5 �" 8 p.m., in the funeral home. Elk�(TM)s services will be held at 7:45 p.m. on Friday. To sign an online register and share a fond memory of John, please visit the Toland-Herzig Web site and click on “obituaries.”

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer�(TM)s Association, 4815 Munson St. N.W., Canton, OH 44718.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com