From the Photo Star (Willshire, Ohio), 8 Nov 2017:

John Eathen Fast, 80, of rural Celina, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.

He was born January 10, 1937, in Mercer County, the eldest child of the late Carson C. and Loretta M. (Now) Fast. He married Ada Ruth (Enyart) Fast on June 25, 1960, and she survives.

Also surviving with his wife are a daughter, Twyla (Pete) Hayes of Rockford; a son, John Douglas (Tammey) Fast of Live Oak, Florida; four grandchildren: Jared Hayes, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Hayes, Ethan (Rachel) Hayes and Jeremy (Marischa) Fast; five great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Wilma Snyder of Dublin, Larry (Mary Lou) Fast of Sylvania, Janis (Ron) Malish of Centerville, Jim (Pat) Fast of St. Marys, and Vickie (Rick) Muse of Westerville; and in-laws: Mary Fast, Mary (Gene) Steiner, Joshua Howell, Mae Enyart and Jeanie Enyart.

Also preceding John in death were his brother, Dean Fast; and in-laws: Dorothy (Robert) Flore, Don Enyart, Barbara Enyart, Jean Howell, Mike Enyart and Jerry Enyart.

John was a 1955 graduate of Rockford High School. A lifelong farmer in Hopewell Township, he had also worked at Huffy Bicycles as an inspector, retiring after 43 years of service. John was a lifelong member of Mt. Tabor Church of God, Celina.

John was extremely interested in history and geography, and wrote a book entitled "John E. Fast's U.S.A., State by State, County by County", which contains history and interesting facts about each county in every state.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at Mt. Tabor Church of God, Celina, with Pastors Darwin Dunten and Richard Van Horn officiating. Burial was at Mercer Memory Gardens, Celina.

W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Celina, handled the arrangements.

Contributed by Elaine Mihm Geyer