John P. Justus, age 88, of Toledo, passed away on Monday, April 20 , 2015 at Foundation Park. He was born on May 23, 1926 in Fort Payne, Alabama to William and Nellie (Moore) Justus. John married Hazel (Wootten) on February 23, 1947 in Fort Payne, Alabama and she survives. He proudly served his country during WWII, initially having joined the U.S. Navy then became a paratrooper for the U.S. Army having completed fourteen successful jumps. John also fought in seven invasions in the South Pacific, including Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Guam. Most people will remember John for his extreme passion of music. Having been a self-taught musician, he thoroughly enjoyed playing the guitar, banjo, fiddle (having won many fiddle contests throughout the state of Ohio for Bluegrass music). For many years of his life he tuned pianos and rebuilt player pianos and also taught guitar lessons. John was inducted into the Toledo Music Hall of Fame in 2008. As a lifelong chess player, he always enjoyed a good game of checkers or chess and had a good laugh when you lost, which was most of the time!

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 68 years, Hazel; daughters, Linda Lieber and Gloria Justus; sisters, Patsy Bouldin and Brenda Justus and brother, Tony Justus. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, Corrine, Virginia, Evelyn, Roy, Paul and Billy.

The family will receive guests on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300). Memorial Services will begin in the funeral home at 1:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of N.W.O., 2500 N. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, OH 43615.