IN MEMORIAM: John L. Tophoven, 48;
Houston-Based Construction Manager
WEST EDMESTON – John LeGrand Tophoven, 48, formerly of West Edmeston, a project manager for a Houston, Texas, construction company, passed away unexpectedly on Monday May 20, 2019 in Houston.
John was born on Dec. 7, 1970, in Utica, the son of Anthony and Ida Mae Sweet Tophoven.
John graduated with the Edmeston Central School, Class of 1989, and in 1993 from Utica College with a B.S. in Business and Marketing. While at Utica College, John enjoyed playing lacrosse.
He had lived in Houston for the last several years working as a senior project manager for Tellepsen Construction Co. He excelled at his job, and was respected by the people he worked with.
John will be remembered as a fun guy who was quick witted, and had a great sense of humor. He was thoughtful, meticulous, and more than generous with his family and friends. He enjoyed duck hunting with his uncle Bill Sweet, and was a great lover of dirt track racing. He followed the World of Outlaws, Late Model, and Big Block Modified cars.
He is survived by his parents Anthony and Ida Mae Sweet Tophoven of West Edmeston, his beloved sister Marjorie Norman and her husband M. Aaron of Hickory, N.C.; Uncle Bill (Sylvia) Sweet of Edmeston and their children Nichole and Shannon Carney and family; Mark and Ashley Sweet and family; Aunt Linda Tophoven of Edmeston and her children Tim, and Belle Tophoven and Tammy and Becki Tophoven. He is also survived by close and dear friends Pete and Hedy Swift and their children Greta and Gus, and the Ben Benjamin family.
He was pre-deceased by paternal grandparents Emile and Louise Tophoven, maternal grandparents LeGrand “Bill” and Eleanor Sweet, a cousin Wesley Tophoven, an uncle Peter Tophoven, and a cousin Gordie Schrag.
Calling hours will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Delker & Terry Funeral Home, 30 South St., Edmeston. A celebration of John’s life will follow at 2 p.m. at the West Edmeston Parish House, where a meal will be shared. A private graveside service officiated by Joan Kuhn Terry, celebrant, will be held for John in West Edmeston Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the West Edmeston Fire Department, 164 County Highway 18C West Edmeston, NY 13485 in John’s memory. To send condolences, visit www.Delkerterryfh.com or on Facebook Delker and Terry Funeral Home.