MASONIC SERVICE FRIDAY AT 5:30 PM
John A. Utz, age 95, of Middlesex Twp., Valencia, passed on to glory in the comfort of his home with his family at his side on Tuesday morning, August 26, 2025.
Born and raised on a farm in Wexford, PA on September 22, 1929, he was the son of the late Charles Raymond and Portia Anderson Utz.
His first job was as a magazine salesman, after which Johnny became a legend in the finance business with many consecutive years of membership in the Million Dollar Round Table. He wrote an application a day for 25 years and had been a consistent producer for his entire career.
He provided motivational speeches for numerous Sales Congresses, Association meetings and in all 50 states plus Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Africa.
He has also spoken at five main platform Million Dollar Round Table presentations. Johnny has also appeared on several other MDRT programs and has spoken to many groups outside the industry.
He is past president of the Pittsburgh Association, the Pennsylvania State Association, the Pittsburgh Estate Planning Council and a former two-term Trustee with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. At the time of his death he served as a board member Emeritus for the Pittsburgh PA organization (PAIFA).
Honored with many awards from his company, his state and his local, he really enjoyed his work. Even though he would have turned 96 in September, he still enjoyed working part-time until his death, helping his clients and doing random acts of kindness. He maintained his lifetime membership in MDRT and this year marked his 70th year. Even though his office on Rt. 8 officially closed three years ago this month, he still worked remotely from his home office spending whatever time was necessary to sell or service - he is truly an inspiration for all.
Johnny had a great many interests in Community Services. He was a founding board member of the Richland Youth Foundation and its President in 1972. He was an elder at the Bakerstown Presbyterian Church, serving in finance, teaching Sunday School with his wife, Jeanne, chair of the pulpit search committee and numerous other responsibilities at the church. He pitched for the Bakerstown Presbyterian softball team and served as a baseball coach for youth.
He was a member of John E. Mair Lodge 729 F. & A.M., the Butler Country Club- he loved golfing, the Wexford Men’s Bowling League-he loved bowling too. He was a season ticket holder of the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 70 years.
John had a great vision in real estate and was instrumental in the resurgence of the Mars Lanes. He was involved in Middlesex Parks and Recreation.
He loved boating and water skiing at Lake Milton Boat Club in Ohio, along with his brother Chuck and family. John and Jeanne traveled with his brother, two sisters and spouses yearly. He also enjoyed taking his three children and spouses on annual weeklong trips.
Surviving are his wife of 75 years, G. Jeanne Humes Utz, who he married on January 21, 1950, his daughter, Connie Towers (Jim) of Lancaster, PA, his son, Howard Utz (Connie) of Irwin, his daughter-in-law, Connie Saul Utz of Mars, his grandchildren, Marcia Towers, Michael Towers (Kelly), David Towers (Emily), Dena Fantini (Jason), Dan Utz, Debi Varner (Tom), Shawn Utz (Christina), Corey Utz (Emily), Brian Utz (Courtney) and Julie MacKenzie (Gray), also 28 great grandchildren, his brother-in-law, Stanley Gray in Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, J. Robert Utz, his daughter-in-law, Bridget Utz, his brother, Charles Utz, his sisters, Clara Hetrick and Catherine Gray, and his sister-in-law Louise Dietrich and brother-in-law, Ed Dietrich.
Friends will be received at the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc. 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA on Thursday from 6-8 PM and Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown,5825 Heckert Rd. Bakerstown, PA 15007 on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Rev. Paul Becker, pastor and Rev. Donn Ed, officiating. Burial will be in Bakerstown Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hosanna Industries, South Butler Community Meals on Wheels, First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown of the Richland Youth Foundation. Directions and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.
Members of John E. Mair Lodge 729 F. & A.M. will conduct Masonic Service on Friday at 5:30 PM.