Obituaries

Delphos, Ohio
John Robert Briggs went to heavenly peace shortly after midnight on November 4, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with interstitial lung disease.
He was born on October 21, 1961, to Jack and Mary Ann Briggs who preceded him in death. On December 12, 2012, he married his long-time high school friend, Jill Marie (Beining) Briggs, who survives.
John was a mail carrier for the USPS for 28 years; first delivering mail in Lima, Ohio and then moving to Delphos, Ohio. He retired in February 2023.
John was the "Bad Dad Jokes" guy...always making us laugh until we cried due to his jokes and antics. He could do a rendition of Harry Carry (fans cheering included) that would make you think you were really watching the Chicago Cubs. His imitation of airline pilots in the cockpit while flying planes will always be a memory we cherish. He was an avid carpenter; all his family members have many beautiful wood carvings, laser engraved projects, and work done by his skilled hands which we will always treasure. He simply was always happy, fun-loving and an amazingly positive person even while struggling to breathe through the past 18 months. He always told me he wanted "I told you I was sick" put on his gravestone…something we have laughed about for years. He loved Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.
We have many memories driving fast with the windows down singing "Peg" and "Long Train Runnin" as loud as we could sing it.
John is survived by his children Jessica (Shane) Gilroy, Joshua (Becky) Briggs, Eric (Sophia) Lewis and Sarah (Chris) Bleau. He was such a great, loving Paw-Paw to Avery, Emma, Aiden, Nolan & Hayleigh Bleau; Harper Rose Lewis, Noah & Riley Smith; Alleigh & Sophie Allenbaugh; siblings Donna Briggs and Carol (John) Bergquist and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Albert and Gertrude (Harter) Briggs, maternal grandparents, Donald & Florence Billingsley, special cousin and friend Craig Briggs; son Evan Lewis and several brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 7:00pm at CHILES - LAMAN FUNERAL HOMES, SHAWNEE CHAPEL.
Visitation will be on Thursday, from 5:00pm until the time of the service at the SHAWNEE CHAPEL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions please be made to St. Jude's Hospital.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.