John F. “Sonny” Sklenar, Jr.

John F. “Sonny” Sklenar, Jr., age 88, of Belle Valley, Ohio, died Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Marietta Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 7, 1937, in Belle Valley, son of the late John F. and Catherine M. Kohut Sklenar, Sr. John was a 1955 graduate of Belle Valley High School, where he played basketball. He was a United States Army veteran who served during the Korean War. He retired from the former Gould plant in Caldwell and served as the Belle Valley marshal for 26 years. John was a member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, the Belle Valley American Legion Post #641, and the Caldwell VFW Post #4721. In his early years, he coached softball and basketball, and he was a fan of the Cincinnatti Reds and the Cincinnatti Bengals. He also loved to go hunting and fishing.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one daughter, Dawn Ann Sklenar; two sisters, Emilia Smith and Ann Daughtery; and one brother, Robert “Tom” Sklenar.

Surviving are his wife, Sandra O. Lapp Sklenar, whom he married December 31, 1958; his children, Susan L. Fugett of Columbus, Dorothea C. (Bill) Sikora of Zanesville, Beth A. (Scott) Starr of Piketon, Jennifer J. (Jeff) LaCroix of Columbus, and John D. Sklenar of Lucasville; eight grandchildren;  eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Janice Cunningham (Richard Davis) of Cumberland; a sister-in-law,  Cheryl Sklenar of Zanesville; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends may call Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, where the funeral service will be observed Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Thomas Nelson officiating. A veteran’s graveside service will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Belle Valley. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans at www.DAV.org. The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their kindness and care. An online guestbook may be signed at www.mcvay-perkins.com.