From this morning's papers we learned that Wellsville Legend Johnny Checkler passed away Saturday in Columbus. Johnny for years operated a barber shop on Main Street until this past year when health problems got the best of him. The shop, or salon, as he liked to call it, was a ville landmark. John moved to Columbus this past summer to be closer to his family and died in a hospice home down there. Arrangements are pending at Macleans.
John was truly a legend in the ville & has been missed since closing his shop. Now he has gone on ahead of us. God rest your soul John. I'm sure Loretta was waiting for you with a wagging tail.
ole nib
3 comments:
Mike Shepherd said...
It is with great regret that I pass on that John Checkler has died.
Johnny was one of the more "flamboyant" Wellville people, and the last of self-made businessmen in town. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for anyone who opened the door in his "salon" or who crossed his path while walking with his big headphones in the morning. I will never forget his laughter and his conversation. We had so much fun over the years. I told him a few weeks ago that he cut my hair for 31 years, and 15 years of em were bad. "Oh now MICHAEL"!
Me and Brian McIntosh used to run tabs for haircuts, that was Johnny, but he never let ya forget the tip.
Rest in peace John, there'll never be another one like you.
Monday, 19 January, 2009
Today's papers said the family will be present Sunday, January 25, to receive friends from 1 - 5 P.M. at the MMA Funeral Home Chapel on Riverside. No services are planned. John will be buried in Spring Hill at the convenience of the family.
nib
It's hard to imagine the silence in Johns barbershop now. It was always a beehive of activity and conversation. He loved to have in depth conversations on any subject. He was always reading something. He had such a fun personality. I always had a good time at his shop. I loved to torment him and I think he enjoyed it too. For someone with such deep faith, he had the most devilish grin and laugh. I'm so glad we were able to recognize him as a Wellsville Legend last summer. This man cut hair while hooked up to an oxygen tank. He just didn't want to let it go. I think he knew if he quit,he would die. I never met anyone who loved their job so much. Wellsville will be a little less fun without John. Farewell my friend.
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