BURTON – John W. Gander, age 102, of Burton, who lived his life to the fullest, passed away peacefully at Burton Health Care on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016.
John was born on Nov. 5, 1913, in the hills of Meigs Township in Muskingum County, Ohio. He graduated from Meigs High School, which was a one-room schoolhouse with 28 students and six in the senior class.
John graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and was a pitcher on the baseball team in 1937, 1938 and 1939.
He was a business teacher and coach in Grafton schools, 1939-1941, and married Dorothy Seidel in September of 1942. She passed away in 1985 and John married Helen Zang, who passed away in February 2010.
John served five years in the U.S. Army, beginning in June 1941. He was an officer assigned to Gen. George Patton’s Third Army Fourth Armored Division, which landed on Utah Beach 30 days after the D-Day invasion. He was with Patton’s Army from 1941 until the end of the war in Europe in 1945 and discharged as a Lieutenant Colonel.
John was employed six years by the U.S. Civil Service with the Veterans Administration and Lordstown Ordinance Depot.
He purchased a greenhouse business in Burton in 1950, which became Burton Flower and Garden, a retail greenhouse and garden center. Prior to the sale of Burton Flower and Garden, he established BFG Supply Company, a wholesale horticultural distribution company. John retired as chairman of the board to farm his hardwood tree farm, nut grove and large perennial garden.
His legacy includes past president and 14 year member of Geauga County Board of Education, member of Ohio University Parents Advisory Committee, 1963-1966 (while Marilyn was a student); 60-year member and past president of Burton Chamber of Commerce; chairman of Burton Chamber Beautification Committee, which is responsible for flowers and hanging baskets in park and village; member and past president of Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club, with 60 years perfect attendance.
John was organizer, member and past president of Badger Booster Club, initiated the elementary athletic programs, the Football Roundup, the Basketball Jamboree and the Wrestling Rodeo. He coordinated construction and original lighting of football and stadium in 1958. He also provided funding and construction of a baseball field for Berkshire High School.
John W. Gander Field was completed and dedicated in 1993, with Cleveland Indians pitcher Mel Harder throwing out the first pitch.
He was organizer, member and past president of the Tunebackers (Berkshire Band Boosters); received the Burton Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1967; received the Badger Booster Club Outstanding Service Award in 1975; and was named Geauga County Farmer of the Year in 1973 by Cleveland Farmers’ Club.
He appeared in 1969 edition of Outstanding Civic Leaders of America, published by U.S. Chamber of Commerce; was co-chairman of Fundraising Committee to build Geauga Branch of Kent State University; was instrumental in BFG Supply Co. building the horticulture greenhouse at Kent State University campus in Burton; was co-chairman of Building Committee for the new addition to the Burton Log Cabin; was a charter member of the Greater Geauga Ruritan Club; long-time member of Burton Congregational Church; lifetime member and supporter of Geauga County Historical Society; 55-year member of Burton Masonic Lodge; 70-year die-hard Cleveland Indians fan, with season tickets for the last 30-plus years. He had the honor of throwing out the first pitch in a game at Jacob’s Field.
Together with wife Helen, John helped sponsor Reading Garden at Burton Public Library in 2003 and was a unanimous choice to be inducted into the initial class of the Berkshire Athletic Hall of Fame. He continued keenly interested in business, politics, athletics and “all things family.”
John is survived by his daughters, Marilyn (Don) Hornak and Ellen Bonner; grandchildren, Todd (Brenda) Hornak, Jill (Todd) Cain, John (Kara) Bonner and Ross (Dawn) Hornak; great-grandchildren, Troy, Jenna and Bryce Hornak, Ryder and Beau Cain, Lola and Belle Bonner, Ian Patterson and Riley and Trent Hornak; brother Charles (Mary Lou) Gander; and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy (nee Seidel); second wife Helen (nee Sankey, Zang); parents, John and Jessie Gander; brothers Harold, George, Dwight, Frank and Donald Gander; and sisters, Hazel Gander and Lois (Dennis) Moore.
Calling hours will be 12-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 at Russell-Sly Family Funeral Home, 15670 West High St., Middlefield.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct 21 at Riverside Cemetery on state Route 303 in Shalersville Township, Ohio.
A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at Burton Congregational Church, 14558 W. Park St., Burton, with Rev. Bob Richardson officiating.
Contributions may be made to the Burton Congregational Church, P.O. Box 496, Burton, OH 44021.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.russellslyfh.com.