John Robert Malone

JR, as he was known to many, was born March 14, 1937 to Ervin and Nellie Malone in Smithfield, Ohio. A graduate of Bedford High School (Bedford, OH), he entered the Marine Corps, serving from 1955 to 1959, with a stint in Okinawa (Japan) as a helicopter mechanic. It was there that he built a lifelong friendship with fellow Marine Alann Steen.

After leaving the Marines and returning to Ohio he met and married Linda Joyce Cooper in late January 1961 and began a career at Ford Motor Company. Together they had three sons. She preceded him in death in 1996 after John retired following thirty years at Ford. John later married Vicki Nolan Stischok and eventually relocated to Grove City, Ohio. Joining the family with Vicki were her daughter and grandchildren. Together they were active in Kiwanis (Hilltop chapter) and Orient United Methodist Church, where John served as a lay servant minister.

In his retirement JR rekindled his love of racing. With several friends, especially Smokey Carroll, he rebuilt a vintage sprint car, which he enjoyed driving and showing off to others. While serving as president of the Bedford Historical Society, he built a legacy through a historical collection on racing at Sportsman Park (now Northfield Park) that continues his interest in storytelling.

John is survived by his wife, Vicki. He is also survived by his brother Larry (Pat) and sister Sally (Don Johnson), sister-in-law Rita Jarvis. John preceded his children Patrick (Robin), Darin (Anne), David (Kelly), and Honey Pasco, as well as godchildren Terry Haas and Alia Steen Brown. He also leaves behind grandchildren Mandie (Jimbo Estep), Christopher Collins (Lisa Taylor), Meghan, Katie, John, Ben, and Jimmy, as well as great-grandchildren Austin, Brody, Cady, and Darby, Harper, and Naomi. JR built many friendships and greatly valued the help of his friends, especially Ronn Erwin and Rick Pasco.

A Christian service recognizing God's faithfulness and celebrating John's life will be held at Crossroads United Methodist Church (1100 S. Hague Ave., Columbus, OH) at 1pm with a time of visitation from 11am-1pm on Saturday, September 22, 2018. A luncheon will immediately follow. There will be a private inurnment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association, Holy Cross Anglican Church (Waukesha, WI), Kiwanis (Hilltop), Mount Carmel West Hospice, or a food pantry of your choice.