John Stephens Obituary

John H. Stephens

Oct 11, 1938 - Sep 24, 2025

Sandusky

John Howard Stephens left this world surrounded by loving family Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Born October 11, 1938, in Sandusky, John "Johnny" Zeke was an unforgettable man about town. Right up to the age of 86, John still delighted in demonstrating his ability to do the double backflip. "Wait for it, wait for it..." John learned from his father, Howard Stephens, that "everything works, it's just a matter of degree," and from his father-in-law, Dick Routh, the philosophy "DO IT!" A kind soul, John accepted everyone and lived to make people laugh. Always thin as a child, John sent away for a muscle manual from Charles Atlas; the manual never arrived, but John got strong anyway. A lifelong car lover, John could tell you the cubic inches of any engine from 1939 to 1959. He loved boats so much that as a fourteen-year-old, he went to the bank and secured a loan to buy his first Sandusky Racing Hull, which led to a lifelong love of Lake Erie and the Islands.

A graduate of the Class of 1957 at Sandusky High, Zeke was a member of the first wrestling team, where he claimed to have beaten opponents twice his size. Basketball was a different story; tall Johnny got talked into playing at Tiffin University and was proud to average two points per game. He said his shorts were so loose that when he jumped up for the hoop, he floated back down to the ground. John later went on to receive a degree in journalism from BGSU. After working for many years at his father's Stephens Printing Corporation, John founded Holiday Publishing in the basement of his Central Avenue home. Inspired by his mother, Dorothy, John pioneered the imprinted coloring books that children received when they got their picture taken with Santa. Not every idea flew over the years, though. John had a vision to start his own Santa photo business, which ended abruptly when the crook who played Santa stole the suit. And he ALMOST invented the corrugated pizza box. But John always kept DOING IT. A fearless salesman, John finally landed on the idea of selling fire prevention materials to fire departments all across the world. Together with his wife, Karen, and their children, Craig and Chris, Stephens Publishing Company grew and grew and is still in operation today. Although John claimed he was just a "balloon and sticker guy", the fact is his life's work helped save lives.

A lifelong member of First Faith Community Church, where he served as council president, John was also a Shriner and a Mason at Lodge 50.

In the afterlife, John joins his parents, Howard and Dorothy Stephens; his sister, Mary Landoll; and many treasured friends, as well as his beloved dogs, Butchie, Sparky and Nugget.

John leaves behind his adoring wife of 58 years, Karen Routh Stephens; three children, Todd Stephens (husband, Tim Kaltenecker) of New York City, Craig Stephens (wife, Kellye Reed) of Catawba Island, and Chris Stephens (wife, Erika Kraus) of Shaker Heights; sister, Kay Esker of New Castle, Indiana; grandchildren, Canna and Kamil Stephens and Kade and Liv Roth; amazing nieces and nephews, and an entire community that will miss him dressing up as the Easter Bunny from "A Christmas Story" to surprise the children.

Visitation for friends and family will be from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 6 p.m.

Those wishing to contribute to John's memory can do so to First Faith Community Church or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be shared online at toftfuneralhome.com.