John (Jack) Edward Mars was born in Akron, OH on June 3, 1935 and passed away on
December 28, 2013. Jack spent his formative years in Akron. He attended St. Vincent's
High School where he played football and was a star basketball player due his 6'7"
height and his athletic ability. Jack also garnered trophies for football, basketball,
baseball, boxing and Soap Box Derby.
Jack graduated from the University of Akron. After college he began his career in the
rubber industry with BF Goodrich. His working years took him from Ohio to Illinois to
Oklahoma. In Oklahoma he started and maintained a successful rubber manufacturing
business for over 20 years. He retired in 2008 to enjoy life and especially his family.
Jack was a big man with a commanding presence, big personality and big family. His
nine children were his pride and joy! His children enjoyed his undivided attention during
family vacations. Luckily, station wagons were an acceptable mode of transportation.
However, with Jack's arm length, unruly children were never out of reach!
Memories his children cherish are: putting the top down on the Mustang and taking all of
the gang to the custard stand; Dad building an ice skating rink in the back yard every
winter in Chicago and making hockey pucks as well. Dad bringing treats when he
returned from business trips - like two live lobsters that got played with on the kitchen
floor before mom cooked them for dinner. Teaching things like what an interstate mile
marker is on our way to the beach in New Jersey, pointing out historical landmarks and
how to play poker using the numbers on license plates. He taught us to maintain a garden
and every weekend either the garage or the basement needed cleaned, which taught a
work ethic that was unappreciated at the time!
His love for sports drew him to teaching game fundamentals and sportsmanship to his
children in the back yard. Later he coached youth programs in Ohio and Illinois. In
addition to being an avid sports fan, Jack's hobbies included woodworking, clock
collecting and clock building, fishing, gardening, cooking, coin collecting, watching
sports on TV, and pampering his dog.
Jack is survived by his wife, Betty, his children Beth Conrad, Mike (Chris), John (Sherri),
Rob (Pam), Pam Vogt (John), Kathy (fiance Alvin), Mark, Martha, and Jane Penuel
(David); his sisters Mary Ann Kyle and Jean Schrader (Henry); 12 grandchildren, seven
great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his
parents John and Genevieve, parents-in-law Charles and Elizabeth Ashton, his grandson
Matthew Conrad, daughter-in-law Chris Mars, brother-in-law Dr. John Kyle and nephew
David Schrader. He will be dearly missed. Visitation 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2014 followed by a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. both at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial 1 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2014 at Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Church.

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500