John J. Barrow

Columbiana - John J. Barrow, 89, of Columbiana, died at 5:24 a.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Salem Community Hospital.

Mr. Barrow was born August 10, 1922 in Columbiana, Ohio a son of Clyde and Myrtle Barrow. Upon graduation from Kiski Prep school, he attended Purdue University until being called to active duty with the U.S. Army having enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps in November, 1942.

A veteran of World War II, John was a member of the 207th AAA Group, Headquarters Btry, which was on detached service from the famous 7th Regiment, New York's National Guard (Silk Stocking Regiment). John obtained the rank of Tech. Sergeant in charge of his units Intelligent & Reconnaissance sections. His unit was cited by the French Government and First Army Headquarters for their participation in the Omaha Beach Invasion of Normandy. During his service with the First and Third Armies, he served in five Motor Campaigns and was awarded the Purple Heart in France during August, 1944.

Mr. Barrow was President of the Columbiana Boiler Co. which was founded in 1894 by his Grandfather, John Barrow. He continued to work for the company after it was sold in 1980 and was known throughout the United States for his knowledge of galvanizing and was called upon to help solve galvanizers' problems.

During his lifetime, John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for more than seventy years, having served as a Trustee and Elder. Mr. Barrow was a member of the Barrow Family who gave the Historical Society the Log Cabin which sits on the square in Columbiana and they also gave the first ambulance and donated acreage to the Village for further expansion.

John served on the Board of Trustees of the Salem Community Hospital. He was a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Public Affairs for the Village of Columbiana. He was a past Secretary and President of the Columbiana Rotary Club; a 50 year member of Allen Masonic Lodge #276; the Mahoning Valley Scottish Rite Consistory; Al Koran Shrine of Cleveland, and also a 50+ member of American Legion Post #290. He was a life member of the NRA.

Mr. Barrow was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen B. Barrow. He is survived by his wife, Jean Ziegler-Barrow; a daughter, Kathy (Donald) Reash of Columbiana; a grandson, Kevin Llewellyn of Los Angeles, CA; a granddaughter, Kristen Llewellyn of Columbiana; a stepson, Jeffrey (Joyce) Ziegler of Columbiana; three step-grandsons of North Lima; a stepson, Brian (Rhonda) Ziegler of Atlanta, GA; a stepdaughter, Lisa (Douglas) Hazlett and two step-granddaughters of West Middlesex, PA.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana with the Reverend Steve Fortenberry officiating. Burial will follow in Columbiana Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Benjamin Firestone Post #290 American Legion. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the services on Saturday. Allen Lodge will hold a Masonic Service at 11:00 am Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Endowment Fund of the Presbyterian Church of Columbiana, Ohio or Columbiana American Legion American Flag Fund.