John B. Siddall, 86, died on March 24, 2014 at home, 208 Aldersgate Circle, Asheville, North Carolina.

He was born on August 18, 1927 in Cleveland, Ohio, son of the late Alcines Claire and Annette Siddall.  After several years as a young boy in Canton, China, the family moved to Oberlin, Ohio.  He attended Western Reserve Academy and upon graduation enlisted in the Navy as many young men did during World War II.  After his service, he returned to Oberlin College where he met his wife Muriel; they married in 1949 prior to their Senior year; and he subsequently earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Med.  They moved to Columbus, Ohio where he attended graduate school at the Ohio State University, worked at Battelle, and then earned his medical degree at Ohio State.  He had a long and fulfilling career as a Pediatric Anesthesiologist at Children’s Hospital in Columbus. 

John retired in 1990 and spent many happy years traveling; volunteering with medical missions in Honduras and Peru; exploring his creative interests in music and art; enjoying his family; and serving in various ways at the First Congregational Church of Columbus.  In 2007, John and Muriel moved to Asheville where he developed a special interest in the Asheville City Schools Foundation and the North Carolina Arboretum. He developed many meaningful relationships with new friends and nurtured his family ties during these years.  John and Muriel treasured their 64 year marriage and continue to be an inspiration to those who know them.

Left to celebrate and honor John is his wife Muriel Carleton Siddall, and children: Bill and Sherry Siddall (Chapel Hill, NC); Diane and Chuck Whitehead (Asheville, NC); Kathy and Coolbi Coulibaly (Richmond, VA); Mike and Alice Siddall (Columbus, OH).  Grandchildren: Ben Siddall (Nashville, TN), Molly Siddall (Joenju, S. Korea); Claire Whitehead (Brooklyn, NY),  Matt Whitehead (Knoxville, TN), Mike Whitehead (Raleigh, NC); Sam Kleven (Rockbridge, OH), Caroline Kleven (Steamboat Springs, CO), Mimi Coulibaly (Richmond, VA); John Siddall (Brooklyn, NY), Emma Siddall (Columbus, OH) and Adam Siddall (Columbus, OH). 

He also has three surviving siblings: Larry Siddall (Amherst, MA), Jim Siddall (Wellington, OH), Jane and Sam Battista (Wellington, OH); as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Givens Estates Chapel in Asheville, North Carolina on April 12 at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will be at Lee Cemetery in Mt. Blanchard, Ohio at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: The Asheville City Schools Foundation; the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville; or Givens Estates Residents Assistance Fund.

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