John Edward Noran's Obituary
John Edward Noran of Lakewood, Ohio passed away the morning of November 10, 2025 in his room at O’Neill Health Care, also in Lakewood.
He is survived by his four children, John Eric, James (Susan), Jerald (Cyndy), and Nancy Odorizzi (Victor Regal); his grandchildren, Rebecca Noran, Rachel Minor (Zak), Jason Noran, Jennifer Noran, Julia Noran (Matt Johnson), John-Michael Noran, Raven Odorizzi (Will Matthews), Joshua Basone (Courtney), Rachel Dickman; his great-grandchildren Benjamin, Henry, Caroline and Abigail Minor, Taylor and Mason Basone, Ava, Lily, Grant and Claire Dickman, and his most recent great-grandchild Willow Moon Odorizzi Matthews, whom he was very excited to meet at his 100th birthday party shortly after her birth. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
John was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 13, 1925, and moved to Lakewood, Ohio, shortly thereafter. He attended Taft Elementary School until moving to Rocky River, where he graduated from Rocky River High School in 1942. He went to Muskingum College, and played collegiate tennis until World War II interfered with his college plans.
He was a PFC assigned to the 104th Infantry Division, the Timberwolves, whose specialty was night fighting. Landing in Normandy after the initial invasion, he fought across France, Belgium and Germany. He was given a three-day pass to visit Paris on VE Day; he said Paris on VE Day was like a party that seemed like it would never end (on a trip to Paris on the 40th anniversary of VE day, he was interviewed on CNN near the Arc de Triomphe). When he left the European Theater, he had enough combat points that he did not have to enter the Pacific Theater (for which he was very grateful) and served out the remainder of his Army career in Southern California. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman's Badge; and his Division won the Presidential Citation for actions taking over an industrial complex in Germany.
Upon the end of the war, he returned to Muskingum, married his college sweetheart, Lois McClarren, and completed college. John and Lois ultimately moved back to Lakewood, and after working a few jobs, he was hired by the American Greeting Card Company as Plant Manager. From there he took a position as Director of Maintenance for University Hospitals of Cleveland, where he stayed until his retirement. He was an excellent tennis player, a well-known soloist in the Greater Cleveland area, and a founding member of the West Shore Chorale.
He lived at his home on Manor Park with his daughter/caregiver, Nancy, until moving into O'Neill Health Care last fall, where he received excellent care.
He celebrated his 100th birthday July 13, 2025 with many friends and family, some coming from as far away as Seattle, Washington, Orlando, Florida and Loring, Ontario, Canada. At his birthday celebration, he was presented with a “Celebrating 100 years” memory photo book with many pictures and tributes from family members.
He was also presented with a proclamation from the City of Lakewood, read in person by Lakewood Mayor Meghan George, as well as a proclamation from the State of Ohio.
(Optional) In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To donate, link to https://www.stjude.com and then click on Ways to Give.
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