Gilbert L. “Buck” Hartley, 64, of Wellston, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2016 surrounded by his family at his home in Milton Township following a battle with cancer.
Gilbert was born on December 12, 1951 at the family farm in Milton, Township to the late Thomas L. and Maxine Clark Hartley. He was a United States Navy veteran, serving three tours in Vietnam. He was a member of Delta Lodge #207 Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, American Legion Post 371 Wellston Ohio, The Ohio Archeological Society, and the Ohio Two Cylinder Club.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Debbie Hartley; son, Gilbert E. (Leah) Hartley; his two precious grandchildren, Leslie Nicole, and Sarah Kathryn Hartley; aunts and uncles, Annabelle Linton, Martha (Charlie) Gilliland, Jeannie (Keith) Jordan, Robert Hartley, and Doris Stewart, all of Wellston, Mary McCray of Dayton, Loretta Betts of Dayton, Betty Nuzum of Urbana, Jimmy Hartley of Chillicothe, John Hartley (Carolyn) of Brookville Ohio; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his step father, Roy E. Hartley, Jr., grandparents, Gilbert A. and Avis Dickerson Clark, Luther L. and Margret Hartley, Roy A. and Maymee Hartley, mother and father-in-law, Leona and Percy E. Roach; uncles, Donald Hartley, Charles Hartley, Kenneth Nuzum, John Betts, Bud McCray, Richard Linton, aunt Linda Potter Hartley, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gilbert recently retired from the Wellston City Schools due to illness, after 25 years of service. After his military service he worked at the Hercules Trouser Company, Merillat Industries in the Maintenance Department and as a Boiler Operator, and as an employee of both Milton Township and Jackson County before joining the Wellston City School system. He served 15 years as a Milton Township Trustee; he farmed his entire life, owned and operated a gun repair business for many years, and Hartley Trucking.
His joy came with spending time with his granddaughters, Leslie and Sarah; fishing and teaching them gun safety. He enjoyed flea marketing, hunting, fishing, and traveling to see his favorite musical group, the Oak Ridge Boys.
A funeral service celebrating Gilbert’s life will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of R.M. Williams Funeral Service, 120 W. Broadway St., Wellston, with Reverend Tim Jones officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will follow in Salem Cemetery, Wellston.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 2 to 8 p.m. with Masonic services commencing at 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in Gilbert’s name to: Grace Baptist Fellowship, 240 S. New York Ave., Wellston, Ohio 45692; or Adena Hospice, 111 W. Water St., Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.
Please visit www.rmwilliamsfuneralservice.com to leave a message of comfort, encouragement, or condolence to the family or to view Gilbert’s online video tribute.
Arrangements are under the direction of R.M. Williams Funeral Service, Wellston.