John Milton McNaull, dedicated husband, dad, and grandfather, died peacefully on February 2, 2012 at Hospice House.  He is survived by his loving wife Bonita (Heifner) with whom he recently celebrated his 68th wedding anniversary on January 24th.  He was the proud father of four children and their spouses of Ashland:  Tom (Mary) McNaull, Melanie (Steve) Huber, Mike (Cindy) McNaull, and Dan (Debbie) McNaull.  In addition he was the beloved grandfather of Philip McNaull, Patrick McNaull, Margie (Craig) Belair, Sarah (Lance) LeVeck, Michelle (Tony) Bunt, Rebecca (Chris) Stoffer, Christy (Scott) Conrath and Kelly McNaull. Happy to see another generation, he was great-grandfather to Myles Bunt, Kara Bunt and Hudson Belair.  John is also survived by his sister Esther (Oyster) Queneau and her husband Bernard of Pittsburgh, his brother & his wife  Cloyd Jr. and Mary Ann McNaull of Ashland, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his sister & brother-in-law Vera & Eldon Crone and brother-in-law Harold Oyster.

Born on November 20, 1920 to Cloyd and Edna (Stoler) McNaull, John lived most of his life on the family farm which was originally homesteaded by the McNaull's in 1815.  In 1955, John and Bonita, along with family and friends, designed and built their ranch home on the family farm where they raised their children.

John graduated from Ashland High School in 1939 and worked as a farm equipment mechanic at Ashland Truck & Implement. In 1942, he enlisted in the International Harvester Maintenance Battalion of the U.S. Army serving as a tank mechanic in the European theater.  During WWII his 12th Armored Division liberated three concentration camps as they spearheaded the Allied drive across Europe.

After the war, he returned to Ashland Truck & Implement where he worked his way up to sales.  In 1966 John and Bonita, along with his sister and brother-in-law Vera and Eldon Crone, purchased Ashland Implement Inc. which remains a family-owned business.

Throughout his life John has been active in a variety of organizations.   A member of the Ashland Dickey Church of the Brethren, he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and member of various boards.   Always close to his WWII buddies, he became very active in the 12th Armored Division Association where he served as the national president.  In retirement, John and Bonita often went to local schools to talk about their experiences during WWII.  Using his keen knowledge of local history, John served on the Ashland County Historical Society Board of Directors.

An enthusiastic collector of IH antique farm equipment, he was a founding member of Ashland County Yesteryear Machinery Club.  In addition, he helped establish the Ohio Chapter of the International Harvester Collectors' Club where he was often referred to as "Mr. International".  John thoroughly enjoyed displaying  his extensive Farmall tractor collection, and running his reconditioned threshing machine at events.

Visiting hours will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 on Friday February 3 and 10-10:45 on Saturday at the Ashland Dickey Church.   Funeral services will take place at the Ashland Dickey Church at 11:00 on Saturday, February 4th  , with Pastor Tom Zuercher officiating.  Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery.  In honor of John and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Ashland Dickey Church building fund, the Ashland County Historical Society, or Hospice of North Central Ohio.   Fickes Funeral Home of Jeromesville is helping with funeral arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fickesfuneralhome.com.