John Houchins

John R. “Catspaw” Houchins, 52, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away Monday, December 22, 2008 at The Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He was born June 22, 1956, in Bellefontaine to the late James E. & Ruth Irene Herford Houchin. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Fredrick & James Houchin, and a sister, Anita “Butchie” Hooper.

He is survived by his daughters, Nikki Michelle Blair of Quincy, Ohio, and Cheyenne Ruth Houchin of Terre Haute, Indiana; sisters, Wanda (Eddie) Byrge and Linda Scherer of Bellefontaine, Evelyn (Dick) Burchett of DeGraff, Ohio, Angel (Mike) Shaffner of Quincy, Heidi Palmer of Trenton and Kelli (Scott) Hart of Marysville, Ohio: and his grandchildren, Dean, Shelby and Savannah, and a special grandson, Carson

He graduated in 1974 from Riverside High School and was a member of the B.P.O.E #132 and the Bellefontaine Moose. A carpenter, he worked for Westerman Construction and most recently for Humble Construction.

John never met a stranger and was loved by everyone that he met. He always gave more than he received.

Calling hours will be Friday, December 26, 2008, from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M., and one hour prior to the service Saturday, December 27, 2008, at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday, with Pastor Eddie Freshour officiating. Burial will follow in the Middleburg Cemetery.

---