John I. Gander, 89, a former Allen County resident, died at 9:43 a.m. Aug. 13, 2012, at The Gardens of Celina.

He was born Feb. 28, 1923, in Columbus Grove, to Jesse LeRoy and Viola Pauline Wilkerson Gander. On June 25, 1949, he married Eunice M. Koenig, who died Feb. 22, 2005.

Surviving are three children, Gene A. (Inell) Gander, Durant, Okla., Margaret L. (Tom) Wohlgamuth, Cridersville, and Bruce W. (Pamela) Gander, Celina; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Deceased are two sisters, Donna Herfurth and Greta Wilcox; an infant brother, Billy Gander; and a great-grandchild.

He worked as a machinist at Lima Locomotive Works and Superior Coach Corp. and as a mechanic at El-Par Chrysler/Plymouth in Lima.

A private pilot from 1972 to 1981, he owned Hobby 1700 Amateur Aerial Photography.

He served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II.

He was a member of Perry United Methodist Church, where he served on the building committee and as a youth leader, a member and color guard participant with the Spencerville Veterans of Foreign Wars and Spencerville American Legion Post, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8 in Lima, the National Rifle Association and the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association. A charter member of Perry Township Firemen's Association, he served as the fire department's assistant chief and vice president in the 1960s.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville, the Rev. Kimberly Miller officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Spencerville Cemetery.

Calling is 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the church.