John J. Kurella, a 30-year employee of Kenyon’s finance office, died Friday, May 15, 2015, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The Mount Vernon resident was 78.
John was a native of Daisytown, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. He attended St. Vincent College and then served four years in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Germany. Following his time abroad, he earned a degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
After 10 years as a staff member at the University of Pittsburgh, five of which were spent as manager of the bookstore on the university’s Johnstown campus, John took a position in Kenyon’s finance office in 1970. He retired from the College as manager of business services in 2000.
John was an active member of the local community. He was a member of the congregation and longtime leader of the Contemporary Study Class at Mount Vernon’s Gay Street United Methodist Church, where he also served on the finance committee and led the investment committee. He was a former vice president and president on the board for the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County and a former member of both Kiwanis and the Fraternal Order of Elks.
An avid golfer, John also competed in the local church softball league and with a Gambier volleyball group. He enjoyed baking bread, cooking, playing bridge, and planning and planting flower gardens. An adoring father and grandfather, he enjoyed the arts, both musical (especially jazz) and visual.
John is survived by his wife of more than 52 years, Linda Railingshafer Kurella, the longtime executive assistant to the dean of admissions at Kenyon. He also is survived by his children, Carl Eric Kurella, Amy Kurella Jones ’91 and James Kurella ’96; four grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters.
A memorial service, to be held at the Gay Street United Methodist Church, will be scheduled this summer. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to the Living Memorial Fund at the Gay Street United Methodist Church, 18 North Gay Street, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050.