John Frederick Boyens

John Frederick Boyens – August 25, 1959, to August 1, 2023 – 63 years old – Burbank, Ohio

Heaven welcomed a good man on August 1, 2023, as we said “see you later” to our beloved husband, father, uncle, and brother. John was born on August 25, 1959, as the long-awaited son of Ralph Vernon Boyens and Helen Mary (nee Brown) Boyens in the midst of purchasing their family home on Beall Avenue in Wooster. John was their third of four children.

John attended Wooster City Schools and graduated in 1978 from Wooster High School and the Wayne County Joint Vocational School in Machine Trades. It was always easy for John to make and be a loyal friend with his quick wit and eagerness for adventure which got him into a little mischief now and then! During his senior year, he started working part time at The Wooster Brush Company in the Machine Shop and was hired full time upon graduation. He had a strong inner call to serve in the military and joined the U.S. Navy in October 1978. John was assigned to a sub-tender, USS Frank Cable, as a Pattern Maker. He was a member of the commissioning crew and was a proud plank owner. John was honorably discharged in October 1982. Upon discharge John returned to The Wooster Brush Company and worked in various positions over 45 years, he retired in February 2023.

As a veteran, one of John’s most memorable moments was escorting his father, Ralph, USCG WII Vet on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC in September 2007.

John met his future wife and love, Mary Jo (Kramer) at the Wayne County Joint Vocational School his senior year. They were married on June 25, 1982 (41 years). John built their timber-frame house on the Kramer Family Farm in Burbank. He did extensive research to create a lovely distinctive home for their family.

John and Mary Jo are blessed parents of three children –Matt Boyens, Leah (Derek) Lenardos, and Joe (Kayla Martin) Boyens. A very loving but tough father, John balanced humor and self-deprecation to provide many heartwarming, funny stories for their family.

A diagnosis in his mid-30’s of systemic scleroderma did not stop John from living his life. He enrolled in a clinical trial in Seattle 26 years ago for an autologous stem cell transplant. John was the 2nd in the U.S. and 12th person in the world to undergo this experimental treatment! This procedure gave John and his family more precious time together. Despite continuing health issues from pre-transplant scleroderma damage and treatment side effects, John did not stop full time work or participating in life. In the end, John battled an extremely aggressive cancer for as long as possible, enduring many complications, sadly he did not come out the winner.

John loved to socialize and was an avid sports spectator. He was well known for his die hard love and loyalty to Maize and Blue of the University of Michigan while living in a sea of Scarlet and Gray. John could be a stubborn, bull-headed man but balanced by his humor and zest for life he will truly be missed by his family and many good friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, children Matt, Leah (Derek), Joe (Kayla). His three sisters, Norah (Lloyd) Bertschy, Martha (Jon) Bollinger, and Ida Mary Jane Boyens. Along with his mother-in-law Evelyn Kramer, brother-in-law Chick Kramer, and sister-in-law, Maria Kramer. Nieces and nephews: Carrie Bertschy, Ellen (Larry) Cobler, Doug Bertschy, Katie (Jonathan) Stull, Nathan Bollinger, Josh (Ashley Czarnecki) Boyens Brittle and great nephews and niece: Vinny and Evan Cobler, Wesly Bertschy-Hogue, Izzy and Landon Stull, and JJ Boyens Brittle and his beloved dog Mabel with cats Ethel and Albert.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Helen Boyens, father-in-law Matthew Kramer and brother-in-law, Joe Kramer.

The family wants to thank John's oldest sister, Norah, for her loving care in John’s final days as his 24-7 care provider. The commitment, loyalty, time, and devotion she provides to her siblings as the oldest child and medical professional, is immeasurable.  We are also, thankful for LifeCare Hospice in home and inpatient care.

Our family deeply appreciates the final tribute of lowering the US flag to half-mast at his death and the honors escort with the US flag draped over him, taps playing and the LifeCare staff lining the hall with hands over their hearts, was especially poignant as John passed by.

Heartfelt thank you to John’s special friends that visited him often and provided support, Rich and Ginny, Jim, Mark, Bob, Eddie, Mike, Heinz, and his co-workers for the many cards. Each visit and card were truly touching for John and the family.

Murray Funeral Home in Creston is managing arrangements. John will be cremated and interred at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery with military honors at a private family service held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John’s memory can be made to: Honor Flight Columbus, Ohio Lifecare Hospice, National Scleroderma Foundation Online tributes may be left for the family at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com.

May heaven rejoice and enjoy John’s antics as much as we did when we were blessed to have him with us! John was very loved by many!

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