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John was born in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Elwood F. and Mable O. (Coffman) Soult. He grew up in Elkins, WV and was a US Navy veteran of World War II. He married Florajean M. Blum on September 30, 1950 and she predeceased him in 2017.

John retired from the Martins Ferry Public Library after 36 years and was awarded the Supportive Staff Member of the Year Award in 1982 for his dedicated years of service as bookmobile coordinator & in extending branch library development in Belmont County, for personally bringing the library message and service to countless people through his staffing and administration of the Belmont County-wide service; and for his selfless work for the betterment of the Martins Ferry Public Library system which he exemplified in his outstanding supportive staff commitment to the library and to the Ohio Library Association. He enjoyed interacting with countless school administrators, teachers, students and members of the public in the various schools and numerous Belmont County communities he served.

John was a 25-year member of the Boy Scouts and served as treasurer for Troop 63, which was sponsored by St. John’s Lutheran Church, Martins Ferry, Ohio. John was an active member of St. John’s for over 70 years and at various times served as Sunday School teacher, Council President, Usher, and was a member of various committees over the years including the Property Committee, Membership Committee, pastor search committees, etc. He served as President of the Lutheran Brotherhood, President and Entertainment chairman of the Couples Club, which later morphed into a Gathering of Friends Club.

John was known as a jokester and storyteller. He loved people and had an engaging, humorous and helpful attitude. He could fix anything — being adept at plumbing, electrical, mechanical, carpentry, roofing, etc., to name just a few of his skills. He was always willing to use his skills, not only for the benefit of his immediate and extended family, but also for many friends and acquaintances, as well as for the church and the library. As he aged, he was especially focused on doing household and automobile replacements and repairs for older women and widows, saying he hoped someone would do those needed things for his wife if he had passed before she did. He was creative and thrifty in this work, which was always accomplished in an excellent and exemplary fashion.

John and his wife loved to travel. He was an avid camper both locally and across the country. He visited 49 states (sorry Oregon), most of the provinces in Canada and many places in Mexico. They took nine cruises, including Alaska, Hawaii, various places in the Caribbean, and thru the Panama Canal. They were members of the Big Band 200 Dance Club and avid bridge players.

In addition to John’s parents and wife, he is preceded in death by daughter, Barbara J. Soult, sisters Helen Collett and Mary Thomas, brothers Donald, Jack, and Ernest Soult. Left to cherish his memory are daughters Su Saunders (Thomas Shelton) of Harpers Ferry, WV, and Salli Nelson, Columbus, OH; brother, C. Joseph Soult, Valley Forge, PA, sister Dorothy LeLande, Trimble, Missouri; grandchildren, Ame Dietz (Raeann Rogers), Martins Ferry; K. Robert Nelson (Karen), Brooksville, FL and Anna Anglin (Tommy), Key West, FL ; great-grandchildren Leian Borsos (Derek), Barnesville, OH, Tara Dietz, Martins Ferry, and Isaiah Dietz, Wheeling, WV; and great-great grandchildren, Degrim and Juniper Borsos, Barnesville, OH; Eliano “Eli” Dietz, arriving in November; numerous nieces, nephew and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Keller Funeral Home, 615 Hanover Street, Martins Ferry, OH where friends will be received Thursday from 4-6pm and funeral service will be held Friday, October 25th, 2024 at 12 noon with Pastor Chap Holbert officiating. Interment to follow in Riverview Cemetery, Martins Ferry.

Memorial contributions to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 40 N. 4th St., Martins Ferry, OH.

Condolences to the family may be made by sharing a memory on his obituary at www.kellerfuneralhome.com