John "Coach" Battisti DiPietro

John B. DiPietro, 82, of Crestline, passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at the Crestline Rehabilitation & Nursing Home, Crestline.

John was born in Crestline, on October 6, 1940, to the late Emidio and Josephine (Campanella) DiPietro. He married Barbara (Malatin) DiPietro on March 4, 1989, and she survives him in Crestline.

John grew up and spent all his life in the village that he loved, Crestline. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School and graduated from Crestline High School, Class of 1958. There he played on the football and basketball teams. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Ashland University and his master's in education from Xavier University. From 1967 to 1997, John taught American History, Geography, and Health & Physical Education at Crestline High School. During those same years, John was the head varsity football coach at Crestline High School honoring him as the winningest football coach in the history of Crestline football. His football record is 150 victories, 90 defeats, 6 ties. State Playoffs in 1993 & 1996; undefeated seasons, 1978 & 1996; affiliated with nine league championships, JAC, MOC & NCC; state coach of the year in 1978, 1993, 1996; MOC coach of the year in 1978, 1983, 1987, NCC coach of the year in 1993, 1996.

John was inducted into the Crestline High School Hall of Fame (2001) and as part of the 1957-58 undefeated high school basketball team. He was also inducted into the State of Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2003); and the Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame (2011).

After retiring as teacher and head varsity football coach from Crestline High School, John became an assistant varsity coach, 1997-1998 at Bucyrus High School; head varsity football coach, 2001-2004 Bucyrus High School; head varsity football coach, 2005-2007, Crestline High School; defensive line coach, 2008, Mansfield Senior High School; assistant football coach, 2009, 7th Grade Bucyrus Junior High School; and head football coach, 2010, 7th Grade Col. Crawford Junior High School. All in all, John coached football forty-three years.

John's memberships have included Ohio Education Association, Ohio High School Football Coaches Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Northwest Ohio Football Coaches Association, Third and Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus, Msg. Leo W. Frye Council #2642, Crestline, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie #859, Crestline. He was also an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Crestline, offering his time as an extraordinary eucharistic minister, cross bearer, usher and meals on wheels driver and distributor. John volunteered as President of Coach Hutson College Scholarship Fund, Chairman of Crestline High School Hall of Fame Committee, and a track official.
If you knew John as a relative, teacher, coach, or friend, you knew John loved the University of Notre Dame football. He was fortunate enough to procure season football tickets from 1997 until 2017. There was only one person in the state of Ohio with a car license plate, "MR ND", and that was John.

Left to cherish his memory are; his brother, Joseph (Cheryl) DiPietro, of Indianapolis, IN; sister-in-law, Delores Malatin of Waterford, MI; four nieces; Andrea (Dr. Terrence) O'Neill of Fort Wayne, IN; Jan (Jeff) Pfister of Indianapolis, IN; Denise Halaska of Pearland, TX; Jodi Ruiz, Waterford, MI, two nephews, Martin B. Malatin, of Waterford, MI; Bruce Niedermyer, Elyria; one great niece, Faith Pfister; five great nephews; James O'Neill, Andrew O'Neill, John Flewallen, Jake Halaska, Frank Pfister, and his cousin, who was more of a sister, Denise Belcastro, of Crestline.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sister, Frances DiPietro, sister-in-law, Donna Niedermyer, brothers-in-law, Martin J. Malatin, and John J. Malatin,

The family would like to acknowledge, with heartfelt gratitude, the professional and personal care that John received at the Crestline Rehabilitation and Nursing Home.

Friends may call on Thursday July 6, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm at Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 West Main St., Crestline, with a Vigil Service at 6:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church 331 North Thoman St, Crestline on Friday July 7, 2023, at 10:30 am with Father Jeff Smith, Celebrant. John will be buried in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Crestline. In John's true nature, the family asks that attendees wear their favorite Crestline, or Notre Dame gear.

The family kindly asks for memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Crestline, or Crestline High School Athletic Dept., in care of the funeral home.

Those wishing to share a memory of John or send condolences to the DiPietro family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.

The Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 W. Main Street, Crestline is honored to serve the family of John B. DiPietro.
 

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