John Prexta

JOHN R. PREXTA, age 57, beloved husband for 29 years of Krista (nee Leech); loving father of Grace, Amelia, Andrew, and Charlie; cherished son of the late Richard Prexta and the late Victoria (nee Bechkowiak) Kelsey; loved former stepson of Fred Kelsey; dearest brother of Doug (wife Sharon), Nick (wife Jane), Julie Grossnickle (husband Eric); loved step-brother of Chrissy (husband Alex Errecalde), Michelle (husband Jay Kazek deceased) and Patti Wells. Treasured son-in-law of Pat and John Leech; dear brother-in-law of Kathi and Steve Miller, Carolyn and Mike Franz, and Karlyn and Tom Liebhardt; devoted uncle, cousin, and friend of many.

John was born July 15, 1968, in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from Northwest High School in 1986 and went on to Ashland College where he graduated in 1990 with a degree in criminal justice and as a Phi Delta Theta. It was in 1994 that John met Krista, at an American Cancer Society Bachelor Raffle, and immediately began planning their wedding that very night. John spent 35 years of his career as a hard-working fraud investigator for both Nationwide and American Family Insurance. His passion for woodworking led him to his dream job, in 2018, as a sales representative at DSI in Solon. John felt this job was never work. He was able to travel from woodshop to woodshop across the state of Ohio befriending other craftsmen like himself. John always considered his customers as dear friends. All the while, he owned and operated Prexta Customs, a large woodshop in the backyard, which he always called his happy place. John loved to talk to everyone no matter the subject, as long as it had to do with woodworking. If he wasn’t making sawdust in the barn, he was fishing or hunting with his best friend, Danny. He loved Steely Dan, creating new projects with Andrew, and telling a good story that always included countless details. John’s greatest loves were his table saw, his four children and Krista - in that order.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of John to his Treasured Memories Fund, to be used according to the family's wishes by clicking HERE.

Celebration of Life Service Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Federated Church, 76 Bell St, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022, at 4:30 PM. The kids encourage guests to wear bright colors as this is a celebration of their dad’s life. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of John at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) FRIDAY, January 9, 2026, from 2 – 4 PM and 5 – 8 PM. 

Cremation handled by the DeJohn Crematory.