John William Althans

            John William Althans, age 90 passed away June 14th. Born in Hunting Valley in 1932 to the late Mildred Bartells and Carl Althans. Beloved husband of the late Julie Maxine “Max” Althans and survived by his three children: Deborah Althans Evans (David), John S. Althans (Rory), and James C. Althans (Kammie) all of Bainbridge; seven grandchildren: John, Erin, Jennifer, Shelby, Jimmy, Johnny, and Kendall, three great granddaughters: Elle, Paige, and Kate, his brother Bill Althans (Judy) and many nieces and nephews.

            John grew up in Gates Mills, attended Western Reserve University and was in the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He was drafted in the Army and served in the Korean War and later received his degree in business from Kent State University.

            John and Max were married in Elizabeth City North Carolina in 1954 and settled in Chagrin Falls Village in 1956. Later, they moved to Bainbridge and he joined Althans Insurance Agency, a family business started in 1925 in Cleveland. In 1973, he moved the agency to Chagrin Falls and became President.

            Giving to the community was the hallmark of his life. While in the Chagrin Valley Jaycee’s, he held every position of office and helped build the first staircase going to the falls and cleared the field behind Chagrin Hardware to become Riverside Park, was Chairman of Blossom Time, Trustee of the building fund for the Methodist Church. He was also Booster Club President of Kenston Schools and Chairman of Kenston’s Annual Wrestling Christmas Tournament for many years.

            A true outdoorsman, he loved deer, duck, and pheasant hunting. He will be remembered for his talent of woodworking and making furniture, from the cherry trees he had lumbered from his property on Cats Den Rd.

            Burial will be private with family at Gates Mills South Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John William Althans, please visit our floral store.