John J. Stecovich, 71 of Montpelier died early Tuesday morning at the Fountain Park Villas in Bryan after an extended illness.  John was born on September 25th 1940 in Bryan, Ohio to Emil N. and Margaret A. (Chura) Stecovich.  John graduated from Bryan High School in 1958 and then served his country in the U.S. Navy.  After his military service John went to Tri-State University in Angola.  On February 16th 1968 he married Sharon A. Franz in Bryan, Ohio and she survives. John was the CEO of STECO Manufacturing Inc. and Stecovich Family Properties, LLC. until his retirement in 2006.  From 2000-2002 John worked for Tru-Fast Corporation in Bryan as the operations manager.  Prior to this he was the plant manager at the Aro Corporation in Bryan until 1984.  John was also a Bridgewater Township farmer and an auctioneer with Bob Mercer Reality in Montpelier. John was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montpelier, Montpelier Moose, the N.R.A. and the American Legion. John is survived by his wife Sharon, three sons Bret and wife Angela Stecovich of Fishers, IN, Dane R. Stecovich of Lambertville, MI, Ryan and wife Bethany Stecovich of Okemos, MI, a daughter Lori and husband James Chittenden of Montgomery, AL, seven grandchildren: Ashley and Nicholas Stecovich, Makayla and Evan Stecovich, Joseph and Jacob Stecovich and Caden Chittenden, one sister Carol and husband George Stockman of Bryan, two brothers Donald Stecovich of Mebane, N.C., and Robert and wife Linda Stecovich of Suwanee, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation hours for John will be on Friday, August 17th from 4-7:45 pm with a scripture service at 7:45 pm at the Thompson Funeral Home in Montpelier.  Services will be on Saturday at 11 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bryan with Father James Halleron to officiate.   The interment will follow at Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan with Military graveside rites by the Bryan American Legion.  Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association for research.