1947
John
2025
John R. Venneman, Lt. Col. Usaf (Ret.)
July 13, 1947 — April 3, 2025
John Richard Venneman, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired), born July 13, 1947 in Buffalo, NY, died suddenly at the age of 77 on April 3, 2025, at Adena Hospital, Chillicothe, OH. He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years Teresa Ray Venneman, son John Robert Venneman, daughter-in-law Krissy Venneman, sister Martha Schanzlin, Brother Jim Venneman (Ellie), sister-in law Mary Anne Ray and brother-in- law Steve Ray as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert S. Venneman, mother Mary Venneman, brother-in law Stuart Schanzlin, and his beloved dog Patti Anne.
John had an idyllic childhood growing up in the Central Park neighborhood of Buffalo, NY, attending PS 22 and then Bennett High School. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Political Science at Grove City College, PA, and obtained his Master's Degree from Georgia University. After graduation, John accepted a commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force which began a wonderful 22-year career that included duty stations in Thailand, Warner Robins, GA, Dayton, OH, Wiesbaden, Germany, Johnston Atoll, and Washington, D.C., where he retired from active duty service. He enjoyed his various Air Force assignments including being the Project Officer for the destruction of the Air Force's supply of Agent Orange, implementation of bar coding throughout the DOD, and being the Deputy Commander of Johnston Atoll. He often saidhe should write a book. John's greatest achievement, however, was being a loving husband and father. He was so proud of son John.
After his retirement from the Air Force in 1991, John and Teresa moved to Farragut, TN, where John had various positions at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. John then accepted a position at the Portsmouth Enrichment Uranium Plant and moved to Chillicothe. Originally he intended on living in Chillicothe, OH for only two years then moving back to TN but he and Teresa truly fell in love with the people and the area and made it their home.
John was heavily involved in his community through his church as part of the Prison Ministry, being a church lector and usher, and through the St. Vincent dePaul society (Now True Vine Outreach Center). He also served on the board of First Capital Enterprises, which provides services for adults with disabilities.
John lit up every room he walked into and was an amazing storyteller. He had a fabulous sense of humor and an infectious laugh. John never met a stranger, and was genuinely the best human being most of us would ever have the pleasure of meeting.
A celebration of John's life will begin on Monday, April 28, 2025, with visitation from 5-7 p.m. at the Haller Funeral Home; 1661 Western Avenue; Chillicothe, OH, concluded with a wake service at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church; 61 South Paint Street, Chillicothe, OH, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at St. Margaret Cemetery, 510 Worthington Avenue; Chillicothe, OH, with the US Air Force providing full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by check payable to the True Vine Outreach Center, Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish, 285 W. Water St.; Chillicothe, OH, 45601 or online at https://olqaparish.com/olqa-online-offertory (please specify OLQA Outreach under the "Chose Offertory" option).
John had an idyllic childhood growing up in the Central Park neighborhood of Buffalo, NY, attending PS 22 and then Bennett High School. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Political Science at Grove City College, PA, and obtained his Master's Degree from Georgia University. After graduation, John accepted a commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force which began a wonderful 22-year career that included duty stations in Thailand, Warner Robins, GA, Dayton, OH, Wiesbaden, Germany, Johnston Atoll, and Washington, D.C., where he retired from active duty service. He enjoyed his various Air Force assignments including being the Project Officer for the destruction of the Air Force's supply of Agent Orange, implementation of bar coding throughout the DOD, and being the Deputy Commander of Johnston Atoll. He often saidhe should write a book. John's greatest achievement, however, was being a loving husband and father. He was so proud of son John.
After his retirement from the Air Force in 1991, John and Teresa moved to Farragut, TN, where John had various positions at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. John then accepted a position at the Portsmouth Enrichment Uranium Plant and moved to Chillicothe. Originally he intended on living in Chillicothe, OH for only two years then moving back to TN but he and Teresa truly fell in love with the people and the area and made it their home.
John was heavily involved in his community through his church as part of the Prison Ministry, being a church lector and usher, and through the St. Vincent dePaul society (Now True Vine Outreach Center). He also served on the board of First Capital Enterprises, which provides services for adults with disabilities.
John lit up every room he walked into and was an amazing storyteller. He had a fabulous sense of humor and an infectious laugh. John never met a stranger, and was genuinely the best human being most of us would ever have the pleasure of meeting.
A celebration of John's life will begin on Monday, April 28, 2025, with visitation from 5-7 p.m. at the Haller Funeral Home; 1661 Western Avenue; Chillicothe, OH, concluded with a wake service at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church; 61 South Paint Street, Chillicothe, OH, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at St. Margaret Cemetery, 510 Worthington Avenue; Chillicothe, OH, with the US Air Force providing full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by check payable to the True Vine Outreach Center, Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish, 285 W. Water St.; Chillicothe, OH, 45601 or online at https://olqaparish.com/olqa-online-offertory (please specify OLQA Outreach under the "Chose Offertory" option).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John R. Venneman, Lt. Col. Usaf (Ret.), please visit our flower store.
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