John B. "Buck" McElhinny

John B. McElhinny passed away on January 28, 2025, at home on the farm on Stateline Road in Greenville, where he grew up and lived for most of his life. John was born May 6, 1951 to Tony and Natalie McElhinny. He graduated from Reynolds High School in 1969. A devout Roman Catholic, he was a lifetime member of St. Michael Church in Greenville.

John—”Buck” to nearly all who knew him—was a farmer at heart. Starting out with just one tractor and a two-row corn planter in the 1970s, he began tilling the family farm and would continue to do so for nearly forty years. Over the decades he raised a variety of livestock, including cattle, pigs, and chickens.

His love of farming dovetailed with a keen interest in farm equipment. He eventually built a collection of seventeen Oliver tractors, and in his retirement, he could often be found working in his tractor shop, repairing or restoring one of the antique machines.

Buck's other passion outside of farming was woodworking. A self-taught craftsman, he built furniture for family and produced all of the finish woodwork for his house. While Buck never served in the military, he had a profound respect for veterans, and honored their service by building over fifty memorial flag display cases.

Buck was employed by the Packard Electric Company in Warren, Ohio from 1969 until his retirement in 2005. It was at Packard that he met Linda Brenkus. They married on February 24, 1979. She was the joy of his life, and he, hers.

He is survived by his wife; his son John; siblings Tony (Janice) McElhinny, Barbara Burrows, Chuck (Marsha) McElhinny, Natalie McCloskey, Joe (Joan) McElhinny, James “Bib” (Barbara) McElhinny, and Cathy (Terry) Hassell; and a plethora of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Larry “Len” (Sue) McElhinny; and brothers-in-law Larry Burrows and Phil McCloskey.

Services:

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, 2/3/25, in St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, Greenville with The Very Rev. V. David Foradori as Celebrant. Family and friends will be received on Sunday, 2/2/25, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. 366-368 S. Main St. Greenville. Burial will be on the McElhinny family farm.

Online visitors are welcome to sign the guest book and view a Video Tribute at www.loutzenhiserfuneralhome.com.