John Kent Sederwall

As you read this please know that I am with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and am fully at peace, having completed my earthly life because of prostate cancer, on August 16, 2026 at the age of 78, and have gone to be with the Lord for eternity….isn’t this what we all should be looking forward to? “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” II Corinthians 5:8.

Born in Quincy, Illinois on June 24, 1948

Preceded in death by my parents, Edward and Alma Sederwall, sister Judy Rose, and nephew Mark Rose, all of Quincy, Illinois

Leave brothers Richard (Shirley) of Ozark, Missouri and Robert (Diane) of Nixa, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.

I also leave several special friends, Tom & Renee Watson, Linda Page, James Lynn, Shellie Freudeman and extended family, Tim & Marcia Miller, Becky Gillespy, Claudia Kennedy, Terri Thomas, college friend Jeanne, and fellow euphonium players: Jim, Tim, Rodger, & Chris.

Upon graduation from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri in 1970, the Lord directed my path to Akron, Ohio to pioneer a ministry for people who are deaf: Calvary Church of the Deaf, which was a self-supporting and self-governing church for the Deaf, only one of a few in the United States. I “retired” from the church in 2001, after 31½ years as Pastor.

I was also a Certified Interpreter for the Deaf (RID,Inc.) and a State of Ohio Certified Court Interpreter plus a part-time interpreter for the University of Akron, serving as a classroom interpreter for deaf students. I also enjoyed being a free-lance interpreter serving many deaf people throughout the years to facilitate communication with agencies, courts, doctors, employers, etc. One of my cherished memories was interpreting for Rev. Billy Graham at his 1993 Crusade in Cleveland. I had also taught American Sign Language through Continuing Education at the University of Akron for over 30 years.

One enjoyment in life was traveling, having hosted four tours to Israel for deaf people. Also enjoyed bike riding on the Ohio Erie Towpath Trail and many other trails throughout NE Ohio.

At the age of 65, I took up a totally new challenge and as a beginner, learned to play the Euphonium and enjoyed playing in the New Horizons Band. Later I joined the Summit Metro Parks Ensemble, performing in the Metro Parks summer concerts. I was so appreciative of Dr. James Lynn who was a great mentor and encouragement as we played duets and performed in Tuba Christmases. I also played in the Wadsworth Community Band and the Stan Hywet Goodyear Concert Band.

In 2018 I took my trip of a lifetime, traveling to Sweden and spending a week in Stockholm, where my great grandparents migrated from. What an awesome experience!!

I retired from interpreting at the end of 2019.

No funeral service. Cremation has taken place, Please remember me in your own way. Enjoy a cup of coffee, some ice cream, or go for a bike ride.

If you would like to, donations may be made to:

Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Summit County Metro Parks

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8