Gail L. Porter, 79, of Mansfield, died peacefully Tuesday morning, Aug. 9, 2016 in The Arbors at Mifflin following an extended illness.
Mr. Porter was born Feb. 24, 1937 in Ashland, the son of the late Russell and Doris (Meeks) Porter. He was a 1955 graduate of Loudonville High School, a 1959 graduate of Kent State University and received his Masters in Education degree from The Ohio State University in 1972.
Mr. Porter was an Industrial Arts teacher at Howard and Loudonville High Schools, and was Principal at Lima Perry High School and Crestview High School before his retirement. He owned A Cut Above Hair Design in Mansfield for 15 years before his retirement in 2004.
He was a former member of the Jaycees and Toastmasters Club, a member of East Hills Presbyterian Church, the Ohio Retired Teachers Association and the OSU Alumni Association. He was a proud member of the 1951 undefeated Loudonville Redbird football team. From 1977-1994, Gail and his wife were honored to host eight foreign exchange students.
He was a former high school football and basketball referee for many years. Gail enjoyed reading, traveling and sports all of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Esther M. Yoder Porter, whom he married June 15, 1958; his son, Gail L. “Vern” (Evelyn) Porter, of Ashland, Virginia; his daughter, Trudy (Terry) Hilborn, of Lima; three grandchildren: Jayson (Paige) Hilborn, Jamie Hilborn and Gabriel Porter; two step-grandchildren: Rebecca (Greg) Pfaff and Jesse Thomas; two step-great-grandchildren: Skyla and Eli Pfaff; two brothers: Tim (Mary) Porter, of Perrysville, and Ted Porter, of Mount Vernon; his sister, Teresa Odenkirk, of Loudonville, and a sister-in-law, Diane Porter, of Butler.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Trudy Porter, and one brother Terry Porter.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 12, 2016 at 11 a.m. in Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville, with Kathy Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Bunker Hill Cemetery, Butler.
Friends may visit the family Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. in Lindsey Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to Mifflin Township Fire/EMS Department, 2326 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, Ohio 44903, or Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805; or Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, 2131 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio 44906; or Central Ohio Parkinson’s Society, 2800 Corporate Exchange Blvd, #265, Columbus, Ohio 43231.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.Byerly-Lindsey.com.
The Porter family would like to thank the staff of The Arbors at Mifflin and Life Seasons Palliative Care for their wonderful care given to Gail.
