Normandy Campaign, Northern France Campaign and Rhineland Campaign
Andover - John F. Ahrens, 94, passed away Wednesday (April 5, 2017) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, following a brief illness.
Mr. Ahrens was born on March 15, 1923 in Ellicottville to Warren Henry and Jessie (Bowen) Ahrens. He was a 1941 graduate of Andover Central School. John served in the United States Army-Air Force during World War II from 1942-1945. As Staff Sergeant John Ahrens, he was a crew chief responsible for repairing and maintaining P-51’s and 838’s; aircraft used extensively during the war. He participated in the Air Offensive in Europe, Ardennes Campaign, Central Europe Campaign, Normandy Campaign, Northern France Campaign and Rhineland Campaign. After the war, he met Virginia Wilcox and they married on Oct. 26, 1946. She predeceased him on July 23, 2006; three months shy of their 60th anniversary.
John worked as a mechanic for the New York State Department of Transportation in Hornell for 27 years and finished up his career with the NYS DOT in Pittsford as a maintenance supervisor for another 10 years.
John is survived by one son, John K. (Diana) Ahrens of West Henrietta, four grandchildren, Amanda Ahrens of Rush, John K. (Michelle) Ahrens of Irondequoit, Susan Ahrens of Andover and Karen Ahrens of West Henrietta; 3 great grandchildren, Alex Ahrens, Paul Wilkins and Barrett Snyder-Ahrens and another great grandchild on the way.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a sister, Thelma Ahrens.
John was a life member of the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post 440 in Hornell and was a Past Commander of the Steuben County American Legion. He was also active in the Lynch-Burgett American Legion Post 397 in Andover. His son Jack’s favorite memories are the many Memorial Day Parades where his father proudly marched with the Color Guard. He maintained this tradition his entire life, marching most recently in Andover’s 2016 Memorial Day Parade. To his daughter-in-law Diana, he was simply Dad, her best friend.
Additionally, John was a long time member of the Andover Lions Club, was past Mayor of the Village ofAndover, and was honored as the Grand Marshall of the Andover Fourth of July Parade. To know John was to know a friend. He often hung out at the Emporium with his friends, solving the world’s problems.
Visitation will be held Today (Sunday) from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in Andover. Burial with full military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Andover Rescue Squad, PO Box 726, Andover, NY 14806.
