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416th Bombardment Group (L) John Franklin Geyer S/Sgt, Airplane Mechanic - Gunner July 23, 1924 - February 21, 2007 668th Bombardment Squadron (L) |
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416th Bombardment Group (L) John Franklin Geyer S/Sgt, Airplane Mechanic - Gunner July 23, 1924 - February 21, 2007 668th Bombardment Squadron (L) |
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John F. Geyer, age 82, of Snellville, Georgia, and formerly of Mount Gilead, died on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, at the Emory East Hospital in Snellville, Georgia, following an extended illness. He was born in Mount Gilead, on July 23, 1924, the son of the late Henry and Imo (Vaughn) Geyer.
John graduated from Mount Gilead High School in the Class of 1942. Following graduation, John was called into the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, where he served from 1943 to 1945 as a gunner on an A-26 aircraft and flew on 49 missions in Europe. During the war, he was with the 668th Squadron and the 416th Bombardment Group. Upon returning from the war, John married his loving wife of over 60 years, Alice (Randall) Geyer, on September 1, 1946, at the parsonage at the Trinity United Methodist Church.
Along with his brother, Mel, John co-founded Geyers' Markets Inc., beginning in Mount Gilead in the early 1950's. For many years John served as President of the corporation, until his retirement in 1977 due to health concerns. During his time at Geyers' they opened five locations at: Mount Gilead, two in Mansfield in 1962 and 1970, Bucyrus in 1969, and Galion in 1974. Still family owned and operated, Geyers' Markets Inc. now has eight Geyers' stores, three Save-A-Lot locations, and two other small businesses. During his 41 years of residence in Mount Gilead, he was an active member in the community. John served on the Village Council, and the Mount Gilead School Board of Education, at the time when the new high school was built in 1965. He was a member of the of the Mount Gilead Masonic Lodge, a charter and life member of the Mount Gilead area Jaycees, a member of the T. P. Johnstone Post 329 American Legion, and the Trinity United Methodist Church. John was also a life member of the Air Force Association. While living in Mansfield, Ohio, from 1965 to 1978, John was a member of the Mansfield, Ohio Baku Grotto. Following his retirement, John relocated to Vermilion, Ohio, and Florida in 1978, where he became a member of the Lorain Senior Fellowship Group, the Lake Wales, Florida Noon Rotary, and the A. R. Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales, and Past President of the Linwood Park Cottage Owners Association. John and Alice resided in Florida until September of 2003, when they moved to Snellville, Georgia, to be closer to their children. John remained active in his retirement with many hobbies, which include gardening, keeping a close eye on his roses, and woodworking, even recently constructing a bed, chair, and outdoor glider. An avid golfer, John's passion for his beloved game began in Mount Gilead at Pine Lakes, and he continued to find new favorite courses everywhere he lived. A devoted fan, John always rooted for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Indians. He also closely followed high school sports, his favorites being the Mount Gilead Indians, the Galion Tigers, the Mansfield Senior High Tygers, and the Pleasant Spartans. With friends all over the country, John could strike up a friendship with anyone with his open and kind ways. Despite his numerous health troubles he still lived life to the fullest, and those who know him truly consider him a "survivor."
In addition to his wife, John will be missed by two sons: Eric "Rick" (Nancy) Geyer of Galion, and Timothy Geyer of Atlanta, Georgia; a daughter Carol Sue Pryor of Stone Mountain, Georgia; 7 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; and six sisters Ann Weller, Martha Kubbs, Rosemary Brown, Bonny (Donald) Galleher, Barbara (Robert) Sutherland, and Roberta Higgins all of Mount Gilead.