John Bowlus “Squirrel” Werling, of Fremont, OH passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, February 25, 2016. He was born on July 14, 1953 in Santa Ana, CA, the son of James and Barbara (Bowlus) Werling. He was a 1972 graduate of Fremont Ross High School.
John married Debbie Corrado on April 10, 1981 in Cadillac, MI and she survives. He owned and operated Pump Landscaping and Gardening for thirty-five years. He enjoyed watching sports and talking politics.
John was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and grandpa. He will be remembered as a hard worker who took great pride in his work and loved his job. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. He had a special place in his heart for his son, Nick.
John is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Debbie Werling; sons, Ryan, Matt and Nick Werling, all of Fremont, OH; parents, James and Barbara Werling, Port Clinton, OH; granddaughters, Paige and Taylor Werling; siblings, Jim (Vicki) Werling, Colorado Springs, CO, Jeff Werling, Akron, OH, Jody (T.J.) Brudzinski, Worthington, OH, Pete (Sandy) Werling, Wilmington, NC, Joanne (Matt) Collins, Aurora, CO; several nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harry and Adelaide Bowlus and Clarence and Lillian Werling.
Visitation: Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Victory Church, 2051 Oak Harbor Rd, Fremont, OH.
Memorial Service: Thursday, March 3, 2016; 1:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Bryan Robles officating
Memorials can be made to the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio, 6629 West Central Avenue, Suite #1, Toledo OH 43617 or to the family.
Online Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.whhfh.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory.
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Ken and Peggy (Robitski) Risner
Our condolences to the Werling Family on the passing of John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jamie (Wojdyla) Meade
Deepest sympathy Deb
Mike Rhodes
I am so sorry to learn of the death of John. He was like extended family in our household. His laughter, smile and quick wit always made John such a delight to be around. I send my deepest and most sincere sympathy to his family. He will be missed.
Mel Carroll from the MACC Center
Many prayers and hugs for all of his family and friends.
steve klisz
sorry for your loss.we kept in touch a little after school. i will miss him
Lenny Ferguson
To the Werling family, my sincere condolences to all of you. I am sorry for your loss. I can flash back to so many great memories I have had with John as well as the entire Werling family. I am out of state so unfortunately cannot attend the services. My heart and prayers will be there. Lenny Ferguson
Cathy Sanzo Zibbel
Our sincere condolences to the Werling family.
The Sanzo family
Amy Michael Leadfod
Jody, so very sorry to hear of your loss. God Bless you and your family during this difficult time.
Jody Clark
Deb, Ryan, Matt and Nick, So very sorry for your loss, of John. He put up a brave battle. John was a great man, and will be missed. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs.
Allen and Jody Clark
Cindy Rizzardi
Dear Jim & Barb, Pete&Sandy, and Werling Family,
So very sorry to hear the news. Keeping You all close in thought and prayer.
John was a remarkable man with a huge heart.
Sharing in Your sorrow.
John&Cindy Rizzardi
John Cullen
It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye to you my friend! Your legacy lives on in all who knew you and those you touched with your continual kindness!
J Cullen
Judy & Gary Horn
Matt: I remember after Eric died that you came to our house on Gary’s birthday with a tree that you and your dad wanted to plant in Gary’s honor from Eric and you. We have never forgotten that act of kindness and how honored Gary felt. You had/have a wonderful dad Matt. Gary and I will always be here for you, Always. Prayers for you and your family. Kiss your mom for me.
Adam Dible
Sorry for your loss. He was a great and fun guy. He bought straw from my grandpa Dahms across from the nursery. He even let us rabbit hunt back in the late 80’s. I always enjoyed his style. Hard working and fun to talk to.
John and Ruthie Hershey Caputo
To the entire Werling family we send our deepest condolences. I remember John and your family with so many pleasant memories. May Gid help to get you through this very difficult time. We are thinking of all of you. God Bless !
Cheryl Lippert
So sorry to hear of Johns passing,he put up a good fight. You all are in my thoughts an prayers. With Deepest Sympathy,
Terry Hinkle
To all the Werling family so sorry for your loss. Squirrel was a great guy! We always talked football whenever we ran Into each other. He was a fun guy to be around. He will be dearly missed.
Randy Burns
So sorry to hear about John’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Dee Might Barletta
I have such wonderful, sweet memories of Squirrel…. in the 8th grade !!! And thru High school ….he was always the guy with the big heart and sweet kind eyes!!!! My sincere sympathy to the whole Werling family…
Anne Heinemann
Deb… I was so sad to read this. I’ll be praying for you and the kids.
Universal Farms
We are so very sorry for your loss. John was such a great businessman and loved to talk about his family, especially his grandchildren. He brought a smile to those who knew him and he will be missed.
Jim Quaintance
our thoughts and prayers to you guys at this time. all the good times will be remembered forever. from all the Quaintance and Witmer family. Jim, Janet, Justin, Chris, Gina, Jyl, and Jodi.
Denny Autullo
I was saddened to here of John’s passing. I will miss his quick wit and humor. My visits to the nursery were always a treat. Hours upon hours of conversation, everything from politics to high school pranks. My heart and prayers go out to the Werling family.
Bill Burkett
Werling family:
So many memories flood through my mind after hearing of John’s death. From Hayes School, to Junior High, to Ross, football team, track team and so much more….
My favorite memory is the night I stayed overnight at the Birchard Ave. home when Bev Mulholland was babysitting for us. Jim, Squirrel and I broke a bed frame while doing tumbling feats on Jim and John’s beds. After our attempts to nail the split bed rail back together with 16d nails failed, we resorted to stacking dictionaries and encyclopedias under the rail in hopes of hiding it from “Big Jim” and Barb.
Jim will need to finish the story.
I will miss John
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the funeral due to being out of town. I send my sympathies to the entire family.
Bill Burkett
Sandra Measimer
Prayers and thoughts for the Werling Families. Saddened by your loss of John, was a great guy. My mom talked about what great people you are all the time. She enjoyed working at Pump’s. He will be missed by many people.
Tom and Mary Ellen Leite
Dear Jim, Barb and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God grant you His peace in the days ahead.
Fondly, Tom and Mary Ellen Leite
Craig Koerpel
I only met John one time…at a BBQ last summer. We talked about a range of things from sports to business to his illness. He was a positive, energetic and engaging guy who made me feel welcome at what was essentially a family function. I wish I had had more time to get to know you, Squirrel. RIP
Liz Stoner
Barb, Jim and family: I am so sorry to hear of John’s death. Please accept my sympathy. I cannot imagine what it’s like to lose a child, no matter his age. Reading these messages brings back lots of memories, especially of the years on McPherson Blvd. with all those 30 kids in 6 houses! May you all feel God’s loving arms surrounding you at this difficult time. Love & Peace, Liz Stoner
Vicki Wood
Deb I am so sorry for your loss… Sending prayers to you and family..
Mary Post
Dearest Debbie, Sweet Adorable Nick & Family,
With tears in my eyes my heart flows with “deepest sympathy” for your entire family.
Deb, Please know you especially will be in my thoughts &
Suzanne Richard
My sincere condolences to Johns Family and his Family of Friends. I wish you all peace.
Cindy (Schabel) Brogan
My deepest sympathies and prayers to The Werling family – I hope your memories are able to provide comfort to you at this time.
Darcy & Mike Foos
So very sorry for your loss.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
May God bless and be with you.
Sarah (Rhodes) Halbeisen
My deepest sympathy to the Werling family. I have always loved hearing the stories of the great adventures of John and my dad. He will be missed by many.
Anne, Tim and Nick Arnold
Deb and the rest of the Werling Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of John. My dad having worked for him and with you, Deb, babysitting our son Nick for a few years, we came to know your family very well. Not to mention my time working at Bowlus trucking with Jim and Pete. I have known your family for a very long time and the close relationships you have and I know you will help each other through this difficult time. Prayers and hugs to all of you from Tim, Nick and myself.
RIH John…
Judy Horn
Barb and Jim: No parent should ever have to bury a child. It’s not supposed to happen that way but when it does our hearts are left with an ache that never goes away. A feeling only another parent who have lost a child could understand.
You know that John is with God now and free of pain. All I can tell you is that your pain does not get better it just gets different. I pray for peace and relief from your sadness.
Love you both and your family.
Judy
Mick Wolf
My heart goes out to you and your boys, Deb. It is true that I never got to know John very well, but I always respected him as a good husband and father. I can tell you from experience that family is the best tonic during times like this. Keep them close so they can comfort you.
Tab & Linda Burdine
So sad to hear of Johns passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Deb and boys and all the Werling family. John was a good man.
Don & Judy Kiser
Our deepest sympathy on John’s passing. Know that we will keep all in our prayers.
Cristyn Kocsis
Deb, so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.
Dave & Brenda Zienta
John was one of my favorite bosses. We shared many good times together landscaping!
May God give comfort to each of you and Peace be with you!
Associated Buyers Inc
With Deepest Sympathy to Deb and Family
In your time of sorrow
may it ease your pain
to know that others
are thinking of you.
Associated Buyers Employees and Their Families
Edward, Sandra and Donald L.Schultz
Janette McBride
To Debbie, Ryan, Matt, Nick, Page, Taylor, Jim, Barb and all John’s siblings, other family and friends –
I am saddened that John passed from this world into the next. But I believe the next world is the Kingdom of God’s; a place where we will meet each other again – a place where joy and peace are eternal – the place where Christ went to prepare for us. Debbie, I’ve known you for over 40 years. Even though I moved to California, I am glad we remain close. I will always be here for you. As you know, John and I enjoyed many conversations through the years, especially about politics – a subject that was not far from his or my mind. John had such a great sense of humor and quick wit. I also enjoyed listening to his many adventures, particularly those when he traveled back to CA. John also cared deeply for and spoke lovingly about his wife, children, family and friends. He also loved his community, and our country. When I spoke with him last, I told him to give it his best fight and he said he’s remaining hopeful and positive and is giving it all he’s got. That’s the John I know. Debbie, I pray the good memories you and John made with each other, as well as those you made your children will bring a good measure of comfort. John is no longer suffering physically or from the anguish that illness can bring and I know that means a lot to you. You were a hero to John for he had a deep gratitude for your ongoing and loving care for Nick. He told me you were a strong woman on whom he could depend. He knew how much you love your children and said your grandchildren brought much joy to the both of you. John will live in all of our hearts forever. We will see him again one day. RIP, John Werling! — With love from Janette McBride and husband Tom.
Carrie Beier
Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you and your family. John was a fine man who was loved by many.
Carrie and Joe Beier
Love Beth and Doug
Your Family is in our thoughts and Prayers during this difficult time. We are there for you Ryan..
Dick an Barb Willey
Our condolence To Jim an Barb Deb an the boy’s an John’s siblings, our thoughts an prayers are with you.
Dick an Barb Willey
Dessie Morehart
To Deb and your family
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Squirrel died too young in life so remember all the good times you had. He loved you and the boys and granddaughters dearly . He was a good worker and provider. I won’t be able to attend Thursday but my thoughts and prayers are with you. If you ever need anything just email me.
Tony Cajigas
Thoughts and prayers to your family
Tony Cajigas – Wilmington, NC
Sally Frederick Breyer
I offer you and your family my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort and be surrounded with the love and support of family and friends.
Natalie
Sending heartfelt condolences on the loss of a beloved son, father, brother, husband, uncle, and friend. May the memories you shared give you the strength to navigate through this new terrain. Praying for comfort for each and every one of you.
Sincerely,
Natalie (co-worker of Pete Werling)
Mrs. Paula Robb
I just read about John’s passing. So sorry for your lose & I didn’t know him but from school. Jim & Vicki you and the rest of his family are in my prayers. May he rest in peace, God bless. Sincerely, Mrs. Paula ( Britenburg) Robb.
Mike Keller
Even after all that time growing up around the funeral home, I still find myself at a loss for words to convey sympathy and empathy for the loss of a loved one… I only know there is no life without death, and I will remember Squirrel as the one who laughed the most, even when being mischievous w/ the fireworks when we were kids.
Mike