Donald L. “Jack” Gorenflo, age 92, of Marion, started scouting the golf courses in heaven on Friday, August 12, 2016, following a brief illness after his health had declined in recent months.
On June 22, 1924, Donald was born in Marion, Ohio, the middle of five children of the late Clarence and Rosa (Greenland) Gorenflo. When he was very young, a family caretaker thought he looked more like a “Jack” than a “Donald” and the nickname stuck. He graduated from Marion Harding High School in the class of 1942.
Shortly following graduation, Jack enlisted to serve in the U.S. Army to help his fellow countrymen to fight in World War II. He served as an artilleryman with Battery C, 774th Field Artillery Battalion and together they fought in the Battle of the Bulge and assisted with the Liberation of Paris. His experiences in the war are shared in a chapter of the book, The Veterans and the Valley. For nearly 50 years, he maintained close ties with his battalion at an annual reunion in Cleveland.
Upon his honorable discharge, Jack returned home to Marion, Ohio, where he met his wife to be, Jo Ann Montgomery. He had many colorful versions of the story of how they met and their courtship, which he loved to share with others. They were married on September 12, 1948, at Greenwood E.U.B. Church. Together they shared 50 wonderful years of marriage and lovingly raised four children. JoAnn preceded him in death unexpectedly on July 25, 1998, while visiting her daughter’s family in Africa.
Soon after completing his military service, Jack returned to employment at Fairfield Engineering, where he had worked before the war. Beginning in the shop, he developed a thorough understanding of conveyors and material handling equipment. He eventually progressed into sales, where he excelled. He received several patents for designs he developed for the company. After forty-six years of dedicated service, he retired in 1988.
Jack was a faithful member of the Greenwood United Methodist Church, which later became Crosswood United Methodist Church. He served as Sunday School Superintendent and on numerous other church committees. He also was a member of the Marion Noon Lions Club and was an advisor with Junior Achievement.
After retirement, Jack and JoAnn enjoyed winters in Okeechobee, Florida where they developed many special friendships. In total, Jack wintered there for over twenty years.
To say Jack was an avid golfer was a dramatic understatement. He was a longtime member of the Hickory Grove Country Club and later was a member at Whetstone Golf Club. Jack was an excellent golfer, even shooting in the 70’s after turning 90. He was especially proud of scoring his first hole in one at the age of 82.
Always finding great satisfaction in conversation and relationships, he enjoyed the camaraderie of a core group of friends over coffee every morning for over 30 years.
For Jack and JoAnn it was simple, their lives revolved around their church and family. They rarely missed an event their children and grandchildren were involved in. Jack was deeply proud of his family, feeling blessed every day for the special lives they lived and relationships they shared.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Jack’s ornery sense of humor. He was a jokester…if he wasn’t teasing you, you often wondered if something was wrong with him. He was known to give ice cream money to small kids, usually when they were dressed in their Sunday best, knowing the drips that might follow. Jack also was an avid crossword puzzle guy, getting as many as five newspapers a day to play their crosswords. He believed it was what helped him remain sharp late in his life.
Left to cherish his memory are his four children: David (Susan) Gorenflo, Dan (Becky) Gorenflo, both of Marion, Daryl (Lori) Gorenflo of Albuquerque, NM, and Pam (Charles) Arnold of Mechanicsburg, PA; ten grandchildren: Tracy (Lou) Graziani, Jon (Andrea) Gorenflo, Jeff (Sarah) Gorenflo, Patrick (Melinda) Gorenflo, Chris (Rachel) Gorenflo, Michael (LeAnn) Gorenflo, Megan (Patrick) McFadden, Beth (Ben) Taylor, Ben Arnold, and Eric (fiancé Shannon Brose) Arnold; eleven great-grandchildren: Raquel and Lorenzo Graziani, Makenzie and Addison Gorenflo, Erin and Keira Gorenflo, Braden and Aisley Gorenflo, Connor McFadden, Rose Taylor and one on the way; a special friend, Betty Forry; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including his wife and parents, Jack was preceded in death by all of his siblings: Robert Gorenflo, John Franklin Gorenflo, Phyllis Colegrove and Erma Williams.
His family will greet friends from 4 – 7PM on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Crosswood United Methodist Church (address below). Services honoring his life will also be held there at 10:00AM on Friday, August 19, 2016 with Pastor Jennifer Leskovac and Rev. Dan Kiger officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Grand Prairie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Crosswood United Methodist Church, 1551 Richland Rd., Marion, OH 43302.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Jack’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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