John Calvin Gensler a long time resident of Waterville, Ohio passed away on August 8, 2018 at the Toledo Hospital. John was born on July 13, 1936 in Ida, Michigan. He married Doris Jean Fowler in 1959 in Ida, MI. and has 2 sons Mark John (Rhonda) and Jeffrey Wilbert; four grandchildren Olivia, Ethan, Dylan and Tedi, and three great-grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife, his sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and his step sister Judith (William) Geyman of Ida, MI. He was preceded in death by his father Calvin Gensler, his mother and step father Kathryn (Wolf, Gensler) McClish and Bertie Ray McClish, his step brother William McClish of Auburndale, FL and half brothers Lee and Robert E. McClish and his half sister Sharon (Gensler) Glass.
John graduated from Ida High School in 1954. He enlisted in the US Army in February 1955. After completed basic training at Fort Gordon, GA he transferred to Fort Monmouth, NJ where he completed eight months of specialized training in electronics. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands for two years. He was honorably discharged in 1958 as a Specialist Second Class. John played drums in high school and was a member of the US Army Drum and Bugle Corps. While stationed in New Jersey.
John began his grocery career as a part time bagger-carry out with Gruber Food Markets in Ida, MI in 1951. After returning from the service in 1958 John rejoined Gruber Food Markets where he subsequently held various positions; Stock Clerk, Assistant Store Manager, Store Manager, Merchandiser, Buyer and Personnel Manager. In 1970 Seaway Foodtown Inc of Maumee, OH. purchased Gruber Food Markets. Positions held with Seaway Foodtown include District Manager, Personnel Manager, Operations Coordinator / Supermarket Division, Store Operations Manager, Retail Grocery Merchandiser, Director of Retail Grocery Purchasing. In 1981 he became Vice President of Purchasing / Supermarket Division. John retired in January 1999.
While living in Milan, MI John was a Boy Scout Leader (1961 – 1967). He was a member of the Milan, MI Chamber of Commerce and it’s President from 1963 – 1964. He was also a member of the Milan Rotary Club and a member of the Milan Loyal Order of the Moose.
While living in Waterville, John served on the Membership Committee of the Toledo Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the board of directors of the Toledo Goodwill Industries (1983-1991). He was a member of the board of directors of the Toledo Better Business Bureau (1987 – 1992). John served on the Mobile Meals Advisory Board (1993 – 1998). He was also a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Maumee, OH. John worked on a number of committees for the Food Market Institute and was co-chairman on two task forces.
In addition to travelling with his wife, John was interested in genealogy and traced many branches of his family tree into the 1700’s. He was a member of several genealogy organizations both local and out of the area.
Burial services for John will be private. In John’s memory donations are encouraged to a charity of the donor’s choosing.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Peinert Dunn Funeral Home of Waterville, Ohio. To leave an online condolence please visit www.dunnfuneralhomes.com.
