John Edward Grimm, age 98, peacefully passed from this life to his Heavenly home on Thursday, October 1, 2026. John was born in Fitzhenry, Pennsylvania to Frank and Mary Kiripolsky Grimm on September 17, 1928.

John spent his early vocational years in Pennsylvania employed in a steel mill, coal mine, driving a taxi, and employed for one day with the railroad until he became a diesel mechanic and over-the-road truck driver and member of the Teamster Union. John also served as a volunteer fireman for 10 years in Irwin, Pennsylvania. John moved to Toledo, Ohio in 1967 where he worked as a diesel mechanic until his retirement in 1990.

John married Marion Consage Foster on August 7, 1968. She passed away on September 16, 1991. After her passing, John began walking daily at Southwyck Mall in Toledo. It was there that he met another walker, Linda Christen Swonger, who was also grieving the loss of a spouse. After years of friendship, John and Linda began dating and were married May 18, 1996.

A life-long Pittsburg Steelers Fan, John enjoyed watching the games and hosting Super Bowl Parties when the Steelers were competing. Traveling was another fun part of John's life, and this was enriched by his wife / travel partner, Linda. Together they enjoyed trips through the US, Europe, and England, but they especially enjoyed vacationing in Aruba, which became their home away from home. In later years, they enjoyed trips closer to Ohio including time-shares at the ocean and in the mountains where they regularly hosted family and friends. John found special delight in a 4-generation family trip to the Great Smokey Mountains. Over the past year, John's favorite excursion was to Marblehead, Ohio with his final visit on Labor Day 2026 accompanied by his grandson, David, and David's wife, Erika.

John attended Heritage Church of God in Maumee, Ohio where he served as a member of the church council, sang in a men's choir, and enjoyed preparing meals in the church kitchen with other men who were also retired.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marion; daughter, Linda; sons, David and Gary; and siblings, James, Thelma, Marie, Margaret, Frank, Beryl, William, Helen, Frances, Robert, Richard, and George.

John is survived by a family he loved dearly including his wife of 30 years, Linda Grimm; sister, Mary Ann (John) Jacobs; children, Stanley (Robin Parr) Foster, Debra (Randy Garrett) Foster, Todd (Angie) Swonger, Jill (David) Dellinger, Matthew (Phaedra) Swonger, and Brenda Grimm; grandchildren, David (Erika) Grimm, Michael (Summer) Grimm, Frank Grimm, Brittney (Jared Alcaraz) Foster, Rebecca (Jeremy) Renfro, Kristin ( Daniel) Presley, Katye (Vince) Marchese, Ben (Kristy) Swonger, Joshua (Autumn Beam) Dellinger, Heather Dellinger, Mattie Swonger, and Owen Swonger; 16 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Additionally, Linda and the family wish to thank Ali, Cindy, Brandy, Greg, Lynn, Eric, and the FedEx man for their support and kindness during John's final weeks at home.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Heritage Church of God, 3520 Strayer Rd, Maumee, Ohio with Visitation at 9:00 AM and the Celebration of Life Service beginning at 10:00 AM.

Those wishing to donate in John's memory are asked to consider Heritage Church of God or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.