Visitation:
202 W. Maple Street Willard OH 44890 10/18/2009 14:00:00
Service:
10/19/2009 11:00:00
Coach Jack Gill, age 78, resident of Willard, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2009 at the MedCentral Hospital in Mansfield, Ohio. He was born on December 6, 1930 to the late Henry and Lydia (Heintz) Gill and had been a Willard resident most of his life. He graduated from Willard High School in 1948. He joined the Navy and served 4 years in Key West aboard the USS English. He played 1 year in professional baseball with the Havana, Cuban baseball team, which was a member of the Florida International League. The following year, Coach Gill entered Ohio University and recieved his BSED. Then went on to do his masters in School Administration. His first school was at Lynwood-Jackson High School. He was Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. His basketball team went 25-3 and was State Runner-up. His baseball team was 22-2 and went to the State Finals. Coach Gill then moved to Wilmington High School as coach of the varsity basketball and baseball teams as well as the Athletic Director. At Wilmington, his basketball team won 4 League Championships and set a league record 37 straight league wins. His baseball team won 5 League Championships. He then moved to Vandalia-Butler High School as basketball and tennis coach. Coach Gill’s last stop was to go back to Willard High School as basketball coach for 2 years. He ended his head coaching of basketball with a record of 175-65 and his baseball record of 128-32. Coach Gill started the tennis program at Willard and won 4 NOL Championships. He ended his tennis with a record at Vandalia and Willard of 141-39. He then became Assistant Head Coach to Head Coach Bob Haas for the Willard High School Basketball Team, that had a record of 366-51 and had 3 State Tournament appearances. He retired in 1997 after 42 years of teaching and coaching. He was a member of N.E.A., O.E.A., W.E.A., Ohio Basketball Coaches, Ohio Baseball Coaches, Ohio Tennis Coaches, Who’s Who in America-Teachers, elected to the Willard High School Hall of Fame, the Willard American Legion and the Willard V.F.W. He was an active member of the Willard Trinity Lutheran Church.
He is survived by one daughter, Lori Sue Gill of Dayton; brother-in-law, Richard Jacobs of Xenia; 2 nieces, Debbie Jacobs of Texas and Diane Jacobs of Springfield, Ohio; one nephew Barry Gill of California; A very special friend Coach Bob Haas; many friends; classmates of 1948 and many many former students.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry R. and Lydia (Heintz) Gill; and two brothers, Vincent and William Gill and a sister, Martha Jacobs.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Secor Funeral Home in Willard. Funeral service will be Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Willard, lead by Rev. Brian Peltomaa. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Willard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Willard Athletic Boosters Club or the Willard Centennial Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.secorfuneralhomes.com
Condolences
I’d like to extend my sympathy to the Gill family. My mother Ruth graduated with Jack in 1948 and was his next door neighbor. I graduated from WHS in 1974 and Jack was one of my teachers. I just retired after 30 years as a high school history teacher in Arizona and also was a coach so you could say Jack had some influence on my career. I got to visit with him briefly in July. He will be missed.
I’d like to extend my sympathy to the Gill family. My mother Ruth graduated with Jack in 1948 and was his next door neighbor. I graduated from WHS in 1974 and Jack was one of my teachers. I just retired after 30 years as a high school history teacher in Arizona and also was a coach so you could say Jack had some influence on my career. I got to visit with him briefly in July. He will be missed.
My deepest sympathy for your loss. You were born while your dad was our coach and government teacher for Lynnwood-Jackstown High School in the spring of 1959.
Larry Weiss
Class of “59”
To the Gill family, my heartfelt condolences. Mr. Gill was a great inspiration in my years at Willard High School (1978-1981) and after, as a teacher and coach… and for the fond memories of the many basketballs I lettered for the trophy case.
My sympathy to the Gill family. Mr. Gill served as a great support and encourager to me in my high school years.
Lori, Sorry to hear about your dad, we know we has not chance to get your dad but me,Beth had hear all about his life by thru you told me I know how much do you love your dad by ur heart with his heart, yes it is alot of grief to lost one but He alway be with you in your heart and be happy. The Lord have your dad and he rejoice with all of his friends and families up there in heavens. Phil was surprised to know about your dad being be alot of involding of sports. He(Phil) was thinking of him ,your dad must be very good person and popular.
IF you needs to talk with me or need hug come to see me or call me Smile:
Dear Lori, I did not know your father. I am sorry that he passed away. Remember him in your heart. God always be with you in your heart. My thoughts and prayer are with you.
I was sorry to hear this evening of Jack’s passing. He was good teacher, mentor, coach and friend to all that crossed his path. He was a unique individual that made an impression on me in school and in later years with my brother’s family. JRW – Olathe, KS
To the family of Jack Gill…there are not adequate words that can truly describe what kind of man Mr. Gill was. He was not only one of my many teachers at WHS, he was one who was supportive and caring and there for his students when they just needed someone to listen. May you keep the many memories of him in your heart. God Bless you during this difficult time. Rest in peace Mr. Gill.
Although I never knew Jack outside the therapy pool at the Ernsthausen Center, I considered him a dear friend. His cheerfulness and caring concern for others showed what a fine human being he was. My deepest sympathies go to your family for the loss of such a good man. We will miss him.
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Coach Gill. What a truly good friend he was to so many. Go rest high on that mountain, Jack. God is ready to hear a few basketball stories from you!
May God bless and comfort the family.
Cynthia Lewellen Branham
Summertown, Tennessee
Willard High School Class of ’71
Jack was a rock to lean on in the 100 hall. He was a friend and a person that always found a kind word and a silver lining in any given situation. I hope he finds Roberta, Terry, Steve, Brucklacher and all of the WHS staff that has gone before him. I will forever remember his kindness to all that met him.
My deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Gill. May god bless you at this difficult time.
Dear Lori – I wasn’t lucky enough to have met your father but could only imagine how wonderful he was due to how wonderful you are. They say “the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree” not that you are a nut wink! I know your heart has always been full of love and respect for others and I want you to know we love you in your time of saddness. Love, Anne and David
Lori, Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. We both know what you are going through. Cherish the memories that you have and remember no one can ever take them away from you.
Sorry to hear of Coach Gill’s passing. He lived across the street from us for a number of years. He was always such a nice neighbor,always had a story (of past years of the area). I remember him from school,although never had him for a teacher.he will be missed by all that he touched. May Go bless.
I’m so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. What a character. I would look forward to seeing him at the rec center in the pool. He was always so cheerful and positive. It was always a hit or miss if he would be there and i felt it was going to be a good day if it started off with a bit of Jack to humor me. He will be missed by so many and that is such an honor for him and his family. We were all lucky to have him in our lives.
I’m sorry to hear of coach Gill’s passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at Willard High School. I always loved going to his class and hearing his life stories. He will be greatly missed.
Our deepest sympathies to you Lori and your family. We never had the opportunity to meet you father but we saw the love you and he shared. May God give you peace to know that you will see him again and what a reunion that will be! Love in Christ Jesus
Lori, your church family sends you our love and prayers in this time of your father’s passing. We share in your sadness and want to lighten your burden in anyway that we can. Draw strength from God’s Word and comfort from your many friends who love you. Remember, God IS with you daily.
My deepest sypathies and keeping you Lori Sue and your father and family in thoughts and prayers..May God bless you all with all the comfort and healings with Love and support..
With many outreach from the heart to you and all..
Love in Christ
Sister Carol Sims
May god take our beloved friend by the hand and walk with him in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you Lori. Please know in your heart that your dad was a GREAT MAN, a LOVED MAN, and HIGHLY RESPECTED. He touched thousands of peoples lifes. I will always love him and I will miss him very much.
My deepest simpathies for your loss of your father who was a great man. I am the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Big Walnut HS in Sunbury, Ohio. I attended the Willard Summer Basketball Camps for 5 years during my childhood growing up in Ontario. Coach Gill was there every year and always made camp enjoyable. Even though I was far from a good player he always had words of encouragement for me. I have always remembered that in my dealings with my campers. God Bless You and your family, Coach Gill will truly be missed!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of great sorrow. I remember coach from Willard High School 1968-1971.
Sorry,heard !!
Our deepest sympathy to the Gill family on the loss of their father and brother. Mr Gill was an awesome man and great teacher. I learned alot from him in the classroom as well as his help on the basketball court even though he was the boys assistant coach. You are all in our prayers.
Lori, We are sorry to hear for loss your father. We are thoughts and prayers are with you. Jack is rest in peace… Any thing you need let us know. We love you to be our good buddies…Hugs
My sympathies to you and your family on the passing of a teacher that I will always remember. I had him only for one class in high school. I will never forget how he made Government class fun!
Val Holthouse Van Someren
Class of ’75
My deepest sympathy to the family and close friends of Jack. Jack was not only my US History teacher but he was my boss at Buurma Farms while I was at WHS. He was a fun boss as well as a good teacher. I will always have fond memories of him and he will be missed. Tammy (Newmyer) Martin Class of ’79.
My sincere sympathy to Coach and his family. He was a large part of the class act that was Willard High School basketball. He always had kind words for us as opponents.
Tom Cahill
Galion High School Class of 1978
Henderson, NV
When I was pastor of Willard Church of God of Prophecy 1979-1983 I got acquainted with Jack as a sub at the High School, he was wonderful to work with and I’m sorry to hear of his death. He touched a lot of lives over the years.
Cleveland TN
He was one of those people that could motivate without saying too much. He just knew what to say and when to say it. I will miss seeing him at the rec center pool in Norwalk. Always pleasant and inspiring to me. May God Bless you and your family Lori and I am truly sorry for your loss.