JOHN HARRIS GASKILL

November 9, 1918-October 28, 2010 John H. Gaskill, farmer and resident of Weston since 1946, died at home on October 28, 2010 at the age of 91. A memorial service will be held November 5 at 11am, preceded by visitation at 10, at the Weston Christian Church. The eldest son of Ira E. and Lucile June Harris Gaskill of Kansas City, John was born two days before the Armistice that ended World War I. He grew up in Kansas City and attended Westport High School. In 1942, he graduated from Oklahoma University with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering. He was a member of Delta Chi. John served his country in World War II in Italy as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He oversaw maintenance of a squadron of B-17 bombers in Foggia, Italy. Upon his discharge in 1946, John began farming. He settled north of Weston and had a livestock and grain operation. On May 22,1948, he wed Marian Williams of Kansas City. They lived at Hilltop Ranch north of Weston until 1963, when they built a home just east of town. They raised two children, Jeff (b. 1950) and Sally (b. 1954). John developed his primary farming operation on property bordering the Missouri River in Buchanan County. The farm is known in the family as Booze Island, in recognition of its origin as an island in the river and its use during prohibition. John's son Jeff joined him in farming in 1979. John was a kind and generous man, giving generously to charities that help people less fortunate than himself. He was an elder, long-time Sunday School teacher, and faithful member of the Weston Christian Church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Moila Shrine, Weston Lions Club, and the American Legion Post 501. He served on the Halls Levee District and West Platte R-II Board of Education. John enjoyed Oklahoma football, good food, and travel. He was a student of history, and widely read on the subjects of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, the Civil War and other military history. He and Marian traveled to Egypt three times, and took many other trips together. He was a loving and loyal son, son-in-law, husband, father, father-in- law, brother, cousin and uncle. John lost his life companion, Marian, on May 23, 2010. He leaves a son, Jeffrey Vaughan Gaskill and daughter-in- law Pat of Weston; a daughter, Sarah Jane Gaskill and son-in-law Massimo Ossi, of Bloomington, IN; three siblings David and his wife Gudrun of Golden, CO, Ann Worth of Aspen, and Bob and his wife Kay of Oberlin, KS; three grandchildren - Emily Chiotti of Atlanta, Trent Gaskill of Fort Collins, CO and Francesca Ossi of Rochester, NY. He also leaves beloved nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to John's many friends, his church family, and the caregivers and hospice team who helped him over the last few months of his life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Weston Christian Church.