John was born Sept. 13th, 1934 in Houtzdale, Pa. and graduated from Newton Falls High School in Ohio in 1952. He served in the US Army and then as instructor at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama, and also worked on the Gemini space program. He worked for Brush Engineering in Cleveland and retired from Gilford Instruments/Ciba Corning in Oberlin in 1997.

John enjoyed motorcycle riding and toured 48 states and competed in off-road competition events into his 70's. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an expert marksman in the military.

John spent his retirement puttering around their 24 acre farm south of Wellington where he and his wife Joyce enjoyed interacting with wildlife and doing chores on his tractors. They enjoyed traveling and visiting other countries.

His funeral visitation will be held at the Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 South Main St, Wellington, Ohio, on Wednesday January 10th from 2 to 3pm with brief service following.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Joyce Hansel, sons Gregg Hansel from Delaware OH and Bradley Hansel from Buford, GA, brother Gary (Pam) Hansel of Newton Falls, grand-daughter Brittany (Conrad) Doehne, and grandsons Nick (Jaqueline) Halliwell, and Jay Halliwell.

He was preceded in death by his son Drew Hansel and Sister Charlotte McGee.

In lieu of flowers Joyce has asked that contributions be made to the Salvation Army or Wounded Warrior Project. Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.