John VanBuskirk

JOHN C. "JACK" VanBUSKIRK, 82, died at 5:30 a.m. December 7, 2005, at Lost Creek Care Center. He was born December 21, 1922, in Scranton, Pa., to Charles and Mary Balinas VanBuskirk, who preceded him in death. On October 26, 1946, he married Anna Theresa "Ann" Kasalis, who died October 29, 2005. Mr. VanBuskirk retired as a highly skilled machine maintenance manager from Fruehauf Corp. He had been a machine apprentice for the Lakawanna Railroad, Scranton, Pa. He became a certified machinist and moved to Lima, where he worked as a machinist at the Lima Locomotive Works. Following his retirement he served as resident manager at Georgetown West Apartments. He had been an Eagle Scout and a Boy Scout master. He was an Army Air Forces veteran serving from 1943 to 1946, and remain in the reserves until 1952. He had been a sergeant working as an aircraft instrument specialist and supervisor. He was honorably discharged. He was a great storyteller and loved to regale family and friends with stories of his years in the service for his country. He and the tales of his adventures will be missed. He and his wife raised their family in Lima. Survivors include four children, Sherry (Tom) Krouse of Lima, Ohio, Chuck (Jeannie) VanBuskirk of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Jody (Dan) Bales and Kris (Wendy) VanBuskirk, both of Lima, Ohio; two sisters, Lois Morris and Eleanor Ganz; eight grandchildren, Toby (Annette) Krouse of West Virginia, Kim (Kevin) Warnecke of Lima, Ohio, John VanBuskirk, Joy VanBuskirk and Jamie Bales, all of Columbus, Ohio, and Andrew Bales, Tyra Prowant and Devin VanBuskirk, all of Lima, Ohio; and two great-grandchildren, a nephew and two nieces. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kaylynn VanBuskirk. Services will begin at 7 p.m. today at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. The Rev. Doug Adams will officiate. Friends may call from 5 p.m. until time of services today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Lost Creek Care Center or St. Rita's Hospice, 770 W. North St., Lima, OH 45801. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.