John A. Chura, age 63, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away on September 11, 2026. John was born on May 14, 1963, in Cleveland.
He will be dearly missed by his mother, Mary E. Chura (Bunosky); his children, Andrew, Megan, and Johnny; his brothers, James M. Chura (Evelyn), Joseph E. Chura, Jeffery M. Chura (Sherry), and Justin C. Chura (Maureen); his former wife, Katey Chura (DeCrane); and many extended family members, friends, and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his father, James R. Chura.
John was a devoted family man, a loyal brother, and a man who could always be counted on to lend a hand. He had a generous spirit, a strong will, and a stubborn streak that earned him the affectionate nickname "the Mule." Those who knew him best knew that beneath that stubbornness was a big heart and a deep love for his family and friends.
John attended Ohio Diesel Tech, where he earned a degree that launched a lifelong career as an expert mechanic. He spent 13 years serving the Cleveland Public Schools before joining the City of Cleveland Fire Department. There, he served as a firefighter and later as a specialist with the Bureau of Equipment and Apparatus Maintenance (BEAM), putting his mechanical expertise to work keeping the city's equipment and apparatus in service. He retired from the Cleveland Fire Department in 2020.
John found some of his greatest happiness in the simple pleasures of family, food, and the outdoors. He loved to cook and frequently took the lead at family gatherings, especially Thanksgiving, where he was known for deep-frying the turkey and making sure there was plenty to eat. He enjoyed grilling steaks for family and friends, carrying on his father Jim's grilling traditions, and he was always willing to make a big pot of chili to share. He also spent time fishing for perch and walleye, and the fruits of those outings often found their way onto the dinner table. Lake Erie held a special place in his heart, as did the ancestral family property in Byesville, Ohio, where he and his brothers, cousins, and friends shared many summer trips and adventures, first as children and later as adults.
John faced challenges throughout his later life, but through it all he remained a beloved son, brother, father, and friend. His life is not defined by his struggles, but by the love he gave, the work he did, the meals he shared, and the memories he made with the people who mattered most to him. He will be remembered for his humor, his loyalty, his generosity, and, of course, his mule-like stubbornness.
Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, September 20, 2026, 2:00pm to 8:00pm at Donlon Funeral Home, 15408 Triskett Road, Cleveland, Ohio, 44111.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026, at St. Wendelin Parish, 2281 Columbus Road, Cleveland, Ohio, 44113. Interment of ashes to be determined at a later date.