Retiree ex-salesman of business machines

11/6/2000

John F. Happ, co-owner of the former Diversified Business Equipment, died Friday of vascular disease at Heartland-Holly Glen nursing home. He was 82.

He and his wife, Lois, acquired Diversified in about 1965. The firm, at 1745 West Sylvania Ave. in West Toledo, sold business machines to banks and printing companies, including coin counters, sorters, and wrapping equipment, plus paper cutters and shredders.

Mr. Happ was the firm's salesman, covering 13 counties in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan while his wife kept the books, Mrs. Happ said. Two sales representatives repaired equipment.

“He was a very energetic person and an extrovert, for sure, being the good salesman that he was,'' she said.

They sold the business in 1978, and Mr. Happ retired. He then worked part time several years as a chauffeur for the former Dolbee Limousine Co.

Born in Toledo, Mr. Happ was a graduate of Scott High School. As a young man, he worked for the former Packard Motor Co. and Toledo Edison Co.

Mr. Happ met his wife, Lois, after the two joined Addressograph Sales Agency on Madison Avenue in 1948

“Each of us was divorced,'' she said. “Each of us had a son. We had a lot in common.

“He was a wonderful man. Nobody could be more honest.''

After several years at Addressograph, Mr. Happ became a production manager for the former Jenssen Advertising, where he worked about eight years.

Mr. Happ was a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce. He also was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Toledo Elks Lodge No. 53.

Surviving are his wife, Lois, sons, Terry Happ and Julian Harper; brother, Paul; five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. tomorrow at Foth-Dorfmeyer Mortuary, where the body will be after 2 p.m. today.

The family requests tributes to the church or Toledo Elks Lodge No. 53.