FORT JENNINGS — John A. ‘Jack’ Berelsman, age 87, of Fort Jennings, passed away the evening of Saturday, Dec. 28, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Sept. 7, 1937 in Ft. Jennings to Julius A. and Elsie S. (Recker) Berelsman who preceded him in death. On Feb. 1, 1958, he married Shirley A. (Wieging) Berelsman, who survives in Fort Jennings.
Jack is also survived by his children, David R. (Barbara) Berelsman of O’Fallon, Missouri, Joseph A. (Janet) Berelsman of Chuluota, Florida, Timothy N. (Amy) Berelsman of Wapakoneta and Brian ’Bernie’ (Dawn) Berelsman and Deborah C. (Scott) Grothouse of Fort Jennings. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren, Tammy(Cissell) Zehner, Charlie Blaser, Tony Grothouse, Meagan (Grothouse) Bill, Matt Grothouse, Joe Berelsman, Jr., John Berelsman, Alyssa (Berelsman) Pohlman, Justin Berelsman, Connor Berelsman, Taylor Berelsman , Bailey Berelsman, Tsige Berelsman, Tedros Berelsman, Tsegaberhan Berelsman and Rahel Berelsman,; and 25 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Phyllis (John) VonSossan of Fort Jennings and Barbara (Mike) Mckowen of Shawnee; and brother-in -aw Jim McKowen of Delphos.
His is also preceded in death by his sister, Lois McKowen.
Jack was very active in his community serving as a board member on the Fort Jennings Telephone Company, the St. Joseph Cemetery, Star Federal Credit Union, and was a member of the Ft. Jennings Lion Club. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic church. He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 at Ft. Bliss, Texas. He loved being a farmer. Most of all Jack was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
A funeral mass will be held at noon on Friday, Jan. 3 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Jennings, Fr. Charels Obinwa, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with graveside rites conducted by the Fort Jennings American Legion Post 715 and the Ottoville V.F.W. #3740.
Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Weber Funeral Home, Delphos, where a parish wake service will be held at 7:50 p.m. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral mass at church on the morning of the funeral.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Putnam County Council on Aging or St. Joseph Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.weberfh.net.
