John S. Kilmer, Iii

John S. Kilmer III, 78, a beloved retired Genoa High School teacher, counselor, coach, and friend, passed away on February 7, 2023, in Gulfport, MS, while on vacation with his wife, Kathy.

John was born in Dayton, Ohio on November 18, 1944, to John S. and Elizabeth A. (Zirkle) Kilmer, Jr. He graduated from Northmont High School in Englewood, Ohio, where he excelled at football, basketball, and baseball. John went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in 1967, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen M. (Bondy). They were married in Genoa on October 19, 1968. Also in 1968 John entered the U.S. Army, first serving stateside, in Georgia and then Korea, during the Vietnam War.

After his honorable discharge in 1970, John started his teaching career at Genoa High School, teaching business classes, accounting, driver’s ed, and migrant courses in the summer. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Toledo John and later became the school counselor until his retirement in 2002. John was very active in the Genoa Schools along with his teaching. He coached football, basketball, track and girls’ volleyball and during the summers, Little League Baseball.

After his retirement, John started a painting business with a couple of his buddies (Bud Bondy and Keith Neiderkohr) and for many years enjoyed their “second careers”. John was a golfer and in July of 2003, he shot a hole-in-one at the Stone Ridge Golf Course in Bowling Green. John was first and foremost a family man who tried to never miss his children’s or grandchildren’s athletic events or activities. Card games were always on tap for family gatherings along with fishing and golfing. John was an avid sports fan rarely missing a Genoa Comet Varsity contest in any sport. He also followed OSU, BGSU, and Owens teams events.

When John retired from Genoa Schools, he was asked about advice on how to treat others, his response; “You should treat others the way that you want to be treated, and that if you can do something to help others or make them feel better about themselves, do it; but never do or say things that will hurt others.”

John is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Kathy, daughters, Kari (Scott) Carroll and Kasey Kilmer, son, John Kilmer IV, grandchildren, Alex John Claussen, Gianna “Gia” Kathleen Carroll, and Jaxon Carroll, and sister, Vicki Kilmer-Lacy. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty Kilmer, Jr.

There will be a gathering for family and friends on Friday, February 17, 2023, from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the General Fund of Genoa Area Local Schools Scholarship Foundation, c/o Brian Huston, Genoa Bank, 801 Main St., Genoa, Ohio 43430.

Online condolences may be shared at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com