John "Jack" Paul Gaier, 73, of Monterey Drive, Fort Loramie, died at 7:25 p.m. May 11, 2008, at home. He had been seriously ill for six weeks.

He was born Dec. 8, 1934, in Fort Loramie, to August and Esther Larger Gaier. On Nov. 28, 1957, he married Delores F. Bruns, who survives in Fort Loramie.

Other survivors are, a son, Randolph W. (Rhonda), New Bremen; three daughters, Joyce (Steven) Blakeley, North Star, Sharon Westfall, Minster, and Shirley Gaier, Botkins; six brothers, Ralph, Thomas, Theodore (Joanne), August Jr. (Carol), Richard (Sue), all of Fort Loramie, and LeRoy (Lucy), Minster; two sisters, Rosemary (Jim) Brussell, Fort Loramie, and Kathleen (Joseph) Brinkman, Minster; a sister-in-law, Kathy Gaier, Sidney; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Deceased are two brothers, William and an infant, Carl; and two sisters-in-law, Martha and Norma Gaier.

He retired from the former Gaier's Service Station in Fort Loramie where he had been a mechanic for 30 years. He then worked part-time at Lake Loramie State Park, and Gaier's Garage, both in Fort Loramie. He was a member of the St. Michael Catholic Church, Fort Loramie, the American Legion, Fort Loramie Racing Club and the Fort Loramie Fire Department and was a charter member of the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad. He was a veteran of the U.S.. Navy, serving in the Korean Conflict. He continued in the U.S. Navy Reserves until 1960.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Steven Shoup officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery with full military honors by the American Legion, Fort Loramie.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at the Gehret Funeral Home, Fort Loramie.

Contributions can be made to the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad, the Fort Loramie Fire Department or Wilson Hospice Care, Sidney.