John M. Gastler

John Mark Gastler entered his heavenly home on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Boone Hospital in Columbia, MO. He was 65 years old.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 25, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Moberly, MO.

John was born on May 16, 1959, in Wellsville, MO. He graduated from Wellsville-Middletown R-1 High School in 1977 where he played basketball. He married Joy Darby on January 16, 1987, at which time he gained a stepdaughter, Robynn (Scott) Tinker, Gavyn (Jess), and Grayden. He has a son, Nathan (Lynette) Dziadosz, John and Carla; and an adopted son, Jason Gastler.

John started working for Farmland Feed Mill in Centralia, MO, on November 13, 1978, as a bagger and then worked almost every job until he became plant superintendent. Farmland became Farmland-Land O’Lakes in 1999. In 2000, the mill was sold to MFA and John remained the plant superintendent. In July 2010, the mill was sold again, this time to Cargill Pork and John became production supervisor. Then in October 2015, the mill sold once again to JBS Live Pork and John remained the production supervisor until his retirement on November 15, 2018, after 40 years in the same building. John then worked at home raising purebred puppies with his wife, Joy.

Besides the puppies mentioned previously, John’s hobbies included construction projects around the home place, watching James Bond movies, watching old westerns on TV, and listening to all genres of music, especially Country Western. He enjoyed cooking and baking. John was active in Timberlake Christian Church.

John is survived by his wife, Joy, at their home; sister Beverly (Bill) Casey of Ashland, MO; brother, Gary (Jackie) Gastler of Moscow Mills, MO; sister-in-law, Shirley Gastler of High Ridge, MO; sister-in-law, Darla Gastler of Mexico, MO; brother, Kent (Pam) Gastler of Montgomery City, MO; sister, Melanie Gastler of Columbia, MO, and significant other Armondo Ponce of Millersburg, MO; sister, Tiffany (Johnny) Peery of Mexico, MO; uncle, Clarence Gastler of Wellsville, MO; aunt-in-law, Jane Davis of St. Clair, MO; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews; and numerous cousins.

John was preceded in death by two brothers, Gale Gastler and Carl Gastler; his mother, Ida (Hays) Gastler; and his father, Melvin Gastler.

The family suggests memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society (PO Box 28566, St. Louis, MO 63146) in lieu of flowers.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.