Obituaries

Dennis Gene St.Johns was born April 21st, 1959 to Richard (Martha) Shoemaker and Donna (John) Byrd. Dennis grew up in Northwood, OH. In high school, he was on the wrestling and football teams. He also played the alto saxophone in the high school's band (which he, at some point, traded for a car engine). He graduated from Northwood High School in 1977. He graduated from Owens Community College in 1979 with a degree in diesel mechanics. He then worked for Truck Stops of America, Shortway Bus, Texas Instruments, and Waste Management. While on a white water rafting vacation with friends in West Virginia, he accidentally got a mechanic job when he fixed the groups broken down bus in the middle of the road in the pouring rain. He worked at North American River Runners as their mechanic, became a raft guide on both the New River and Upper and Lower Gauley Rivers, and met future wife, Linda, who also worked there. He returned to Toledo in 1984 with his soon to be wife. They married on January 12, 1985, at their church, Berean Fellowship. Their daughter, Lindsay, arrived in December 1985, followed by son, Brian, in November 1988.

Over the years, he worked for BFI as a mechanic, then maintenance manager, Stansley Industries as a maintenance manager, Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a mechanic, with his last employment being with TARTA as a mechanic, then 2nd shift mechanic supervisor. He was ASE Master Certified in both heavy truck and bus for a time. He was a hard worker who gave 110% at work and at home, between jokes and pranks. While he did not enjoy working on personal vehicles, it was a talent of his, and he enjoyed being able to save the money for other things. He was able to diagnose, fix, and rig any vehicle, and most anything else, into working order. It was one of the multiple ways he proudly took care of his family.

Saying that Dennis never met a dog that didn't like him would be an understatement. He liked every dog he ever met, and each one absolutely melted for him immediately. During his middle school and high school days, there were many times where he would come home with a stray dog or puppy he found. Decades later, his children did the same. His mother laughed. Dennis secretly loved it.

After giving his life to the Lord, he attended Berean Fellowship (now Crosspoint Community Church) where he was a trustee for a time. His biggest wish in life was for everyone to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Surviving Dennis is his wife, Linda, his daughter, Lindsay (Joel) Eis, his son, Brian (Jessica) St.Johns, his mother, Donna Byrd, his brother, Daniel (Karen) St.Johns, his sister, Pam (Tom) Rice, his stepmother, Martha Shoemaker, his stepsister, Marge St. Johns Emmons; his stepbrother, David St. Johns, Jr., his half-brother, Robert Shoemaker, his half-brother-in-law, Joel Horen, his four grandchildren, and multiple nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Shoemaker, his stepfather, John Byrd, and half-sister, Kim Horen.

Dennis did not want flowers or a funeral. In lieu of "wasting your money" (as Dennis put it), we ask that you donate to the Cherry Street Mission (1501 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43604).

A memorial will be held at Crosspoint Community Church (4212 Onondaga Ave, Toledo, OH 43611) on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 @ 11:00am. Please stay after the memorial for food and fellowship.

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