John Fromel 1930-2025

John was born April 20, 1930, in Youngstown, a son of the late Nicholas and Pauline Patrick Fromel, in the neighborhood known as “Monkey’s Nest.”

He attended Butler, Hayes and The Rayen School, graduating in 1949. After graduation, he worked at U.S. Steel for several years.

John enlisted in the Marine Corps on April 16, 1951, to serve his country. He did his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, his advanced infantry training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Artillery Armor Weapons school at Quantico, Virginia. John landed at Inchon, Korea, and was assigned to I company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment as a BAR operator. He earned his first of three combat stars at Bunker Hill, where he and his team were assigned to neutralize enemy bunkers. He was soon promoted and was given the title 3.5 rocket operator sergeant. Later, he and his team were assigned to protect the ammunition depot. John was honorably discharged on April 15, 1954.

Looking back on his time in the Marines, John said “I’m proud of our country and 100% proud to have served. The United States of America is the greatest country in the world.” Semper Fi!!

After his service to his country, John decided to attend Youngstown College for one year under the GI Bill. It was during this time that a friend told John that the city of Youngstown was hiring policemen. He decided to take the admission test and John finished in the top five. He was hired on March 1, 1956, and had multiple high-profile arrests during his career that were reported in The Youngstown Vindicator. John served Youngstown City honorably until January 1977, when he was appointed to the role of chief deputy of the Mahoning County Sheriff Department by Sheriff Mike Yarosh. John served Mahoning County honorably until 1983, when he decided to wind down his career in law enforcement after 28 years. John was then appointed to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles as an auditor supervisor and served from 1983 until 1992, when he retired.

John met the love of his life, Arneatha L. “Arnie” Houser, while on police patrol at Fifth Avenue Pizza in Youngstown. John and Arnie were married June 11, 1960, and recently celebrated 65 years of marriage.

John was a member of Tri-State Marines Detachment 494, The Catholic War Veterans Post 1292, where he was first vice commander, and the Eastern Ohio Conservation Club.

John and Arnie are members of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church and St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church.

John had a lifelong love for the outdoors. During his long and blessed retirement, John enjoyed fishing in local lakes as well as in Canada. He raised multiple Brittany spaniels and beagles (Tallyho!) and loved hunting with them, as well as running them in field trial competitions.

He especially loved attending his grandchildren’s school plays, music recitals and sporting events, where a base hit, basket, goal or touchdown earned them a dollar for each one!

He also enjoyed many years of Sunday family dinners, where he would share stories of “Old Youngstown” in its heyday with his grandchildren, who loved to hear his stories.

John had many colorful and interesting experiences to share from his time in the military and law enforcement, as well as from the many friends he made along the way. He never forgot his family, his neighbors and his life that started on 210 Young St.

He is survived by his wife, Arnie; his two sons, John (Susan) Fromel and Bob (Jamie) Fromel; six grandchildren, John, Dr. Joshua, Dr. Emily, Nicholas, Sophia and Zach; and his sister, Julia Simko.

John was welcomed into God’s heavenly kingdom by his parents, Nicholas and Pauline, as well as his siblings, Helen Markovich, Meter Fromel, Evelyn Yourstowsky and twin sisters, Anna Maggio and infant, Mary Fromel.

Family and friends may call 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at the funeral home, and continue at 11 a.m. at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, 4310 Kirk Road, Austintown.

A committal service with military honors will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown.

In lieu of flowers, John’s family suggests donations be made to The Eastern Ohio Conservation Club, 10366 W. Calla Road, Salem, OH 44460, in John’s memory.

Visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to send condolences to John’s family.

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