Gerald Bargdill

Gerald E. "Lank" Bargdill, 88, of Bellefontaine (formerly of West Mansfield) born on the family farm in Byhalia on Greenville Treaty Line Rd. on August 14, 1928 to Clarence Elmer and Wilma Lucille (Green) Bargdill on their 12th wedding anniversary. Lank went to Byhalia School grades 1-12 graduated in 1946 with a total of 3 boys in his class, played a lot of basketball in high school up to 6 nights a week. He went to The Ohio State University for 1 year 1946-1947. He started driving truck in 1947 for Harris and Jolliff, went from Byhalia to West Virginia and Kentucky hauling hay and grain on his way down and coal back for 1 year. He then started tree trimming and logging for Harrods of Fort Loramie and worked on drag lines and ditching for Ivan "Buck" Howell for 10 years on and off while trying to get his business started. He then hired on the railroad for New York Central on February 12, 1951 as a yard switchman. The he worked at Hoge Lumber Co. in New Knoxville from 1962 to 1966 started cutting trees and ended as the sawmill manager. In 1959 he started Bargdill Hardwood Lumber that made pallets for Superfoods for 10 years and H.B.D. for 34 years and Ohio Deck in Delphos and Teleflex in Van Wert and Lotridge Rubber in Botkins. He retired from the railroad in 1993, and logging in 2008 after 60 years of cutting trees and logging with all of his fingers and toes intact. He also worked at TRC for 6years test driving trucks. Lank is survived by his children Jocele (Larry) Gruber of St. Marys and Stephen (Connie) Bargdill of Botkins, his significant other Barbara Scherer and her family Samantha Hook, Ryan Johnson, Naomi Reames, William Johnson, Jessie Johnson all of Bellefontaine and Micki James, deceased, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held 1 P.M. Thursday, April 27, 2017 at the Wilson Funeral Home, Schnurrenberger Chapel 222 W. Center St., West Mansfield Rev. David Moore will officiate and burial will follow at the Hathaway Cemetery in West Mansfield. Friends may call from 11 A.M. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Caring Neighbor Food Pantry. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.wilsonfuneralhomesinc.com. Charitable donations may be made to: Caring Neighbors Food Pantry 9609 CR 2, West Mansfield OH 43358

Visitation Details

Thursday, April 27, 2017 11:00am - 1:00pm

Service Information

Thursday, April 27, 2017 1:00pm