James D. Gellner

James D. Gellner, 86, died February 13, 2015.

Born in Akron, he was a graduate of Akron South High School where he played on the City Championship Basketball Team. He served 3 years in Alaska in the U.S. Army Air Force and another 4 years in the Naval Reserve, continuing to play baseball and basketball in the service. An avid sports fan, he coached Little League, golfed, bowled and fished. He worked for many years with the Boy Scouts in the Keystone District, served twice as Commodore of the Goodyear Boating and Yacht Club and belonged to the Akron Post-Polio Support Group. James retired from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company with 39 years service.

Preceded in death by his mother, Marie and brother, John; he is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joanne; sons, James F. (Beth), Terry and Ned (Gayle) Gellner; grandchildren, Kevin (Kristi), Amy (Jeffrey), Michael, David and Bryan; great-grandchildren, Maliah, Kason, Millie, Jonathan and Jacquelyn; sister, Doris McLaughlin; brother in law, Buster May; many nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends.

Services will be held 10 a.m. SATURDAY at the Billow FALLS Chapel, 1907 23rd St., With Rev. Stephanie Crossland officiating. Interment at Crown Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home FRIDAY from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Akron Post-Polio Support Group, c/o Brenda Ferguson, 71 Donze Ct.
Tallmadge, OH 44278-3608 or Hospice of Summa, P.O. Box 2090, Akron, Ohio 44398. To share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FALLS Chapel)