MANSFIELD ~ "Just be yourself, and if people don't like you, you don't need them." That advice and philosophy goes a long way in explaining the easy-going and laid-back personality of GARY SLUSHER.
There was no sense of entitlement about Gary, his needs were simple: a loving wife, adorable girls, and a supportive family. By all accounts a happy man, Gary didn't need any more than that ~ he didn't base his happiness on material possessions or position….but on loving relationships.
Gary was struck and killed Wednesday morning while working his trash collection routes, near Hayesville, in rural Ashland County. He was 32.
Born June 26, 1977 in Mansfield to Daryl and Karen (Welch) Slusher, he was graduated from Ontario High School in 1996.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was trained as an air defense artilleryman, and served in Bosnia as well as in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Described as an American Patriot, Gary made many trips on the "Road to Fallujah" re-supplying American forces. Honorably discharged as Sergeant, following his four years of active duty, he served another four in the Army Reserves in a transportation division.
He had worked with Brown Trash Removal the past four years.
Gary was a member of First Congregational Church in Lexington, and the Historical Reenactment Society. As a member of the WWII Reenactment Society, 21st Panzer Division, he appeared in movies including "Horrors of War" and documentary features for the History Channel "Bridge of Remagen" and "Crossing the Rhine."
"Life's too short not to have a little fun" Gary would say, and his twisted sense of humor led to some of the oddest jokes and messed-up antics. He was quick with a comeback, and his favorite line "It's Beer:30, Dad" meant that it was 5:30 somewhere in the world, and time for a cold one. He and his father had a special project together: restoring his purple '68 Buick Gran Sport.
He loved his family unconditionally, and could always be counted on – as long as he didn't have to break a sweat.
Serious one minute, Gary's smile was more of a smirk that would spread to his eyes, and then light up the whole room. That smile often hinted to some kind of devilment.
Described as a good husband, and excellent father, he is survived by his wife Jessica (Kingman) Slusher, with whom he would have celebrated a first anniversary in two weeks; and his daughters, for whom he'd do anything: Taylor, Kaitlynn and Makenna.
Also surviving are his parents Daryl & Karen Slusher of Mansfield; his brother Darin (Katie) Slusher and his sister Leslie (Chip) Gifford all of Ontario; his maternal grandma Ruth Ann Welch of Mansfield; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by grandparents William & Gayle Slusher and Frank Milton Welch.
The Slusher family will receive friends Friday, January 22, 2010 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where his funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. Pastor Jonathan Cheatham will officiate. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery, where American Legion Post #535 will hold graveside military honors.
His family prefers contributions in his memory to the Gary Slusher Memorial Fund, and may be made at the funeral home.
There was no sense of entitlement about Gary, his needs were simple: a loving wife, adorable girls, and a supportive family. By all accounts a happy man, Gary didn't need any more than that ~ he didn't base his happiness on material possessions or position….but on loving relationships.
Gary was struck and killed Wednesday morning while working his trash collection routes, near Hayesville, in rural Ashland County. He was 32.
Born June 26, 1977 in Mansfield to Daryl and Karen (Welch) Slusher, he was graduated from Ontario High School in 1996.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was trained as an air defense artilleryman, and served in Bosnia as well as in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Described as an American Patriot, Gary made many trips on the "Road to Fallujah" re-supplying American forces. Honorably discharged as Sergeant, following his four years of active duty, he served another four in the Army Reserves in a transportation division.
He had worked with Brown Trash Removal the past four years.
Gary was a member of First Congregational Church in Lexington, and the Historical Reenactment Society. As a member of the WWII Reenactment Society, 21st Panzer Division, he appeared in movies including "Horrors of War" and documentary features for the History Channel "Bridge of Remagen" and "Crossing the Rhine."
"Life's too short not to have a little fun" Gary would say, and his twisted sense of humor led to some of the oddest jokes and messed-up antics. He was quick with a comeback, and his favorite line "It's Beer:30, Dad" meant that it was 5:30 somewhere in the world, and time for a cold one. He and his father had a special project together: restoring his purple '68 Buick Gran Sport.
He loved his family unconditionally, and could always be counted on – as long as he didn't have to break a sweat.
Serious one minute, Gary's smile was more of a smirk that would spread to his eyes, and then light up the whole room. That smile often hinted to some kind of devilment.
Described as a good husband, and excellent father, he is survived by his wife Jessica (Kingman) Slusher, with whom he would have celebrated a first anniversary in two weeks; and his daughters, for whom he'd do anything: Taylor, Kaitlynn and Makenna.
Also surviving are his parents Daryl & Karen Slusher of Mansfield; his brother Darin (Katie) Slusher and his sister Leslie (Chip) Gifford all of Ontario; his maternal grandma Ruth Ann Welch of Mansfield; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by grandparents William & Gayle Slusher and Frank Milton Welch.
The Slusher family will receive friends Friday, January 22, 2010 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where his funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. Pastor Jonathan Cheatham will officiate. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery, where American Legion Post #535 will hold graveside military honors.
His family prefers contributions in his memory to the Gary Slusher Memorial Fund, and may be made at the funeral home.
MANSFIELD ~ "Just be yourself, and if people don't like you, you don't need them." That advice and philosophy goes a long way in explaining the easy-going and laid-back personality of GARY SLUSHER.
There was no sense of entitlement about Gary, his needs were simple: a loving wife, adorable girls, and a supportive family. By all accounts a happy man, Gary didn't need any more than that ~ he didn't base his happiness on material possessions or position….but on loving relationships.
Gary was struck and killed Wednesday morning while working his trash collection routes, near Hayesville, in rural Ashland County. He was 32.
Born June 26, 1977 in Mansfield to Daryl and Karen (Welch) Slusher, he was graduated from Ontario High School in 1996.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was trained as an air defense artilleryman, and served in Bosnia as well as in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Described as an American Patriot, Gary made many trips on the "Road to Fallujah" re-supplying American forces. Honorably discharged as Sergeant, following his four years of active duty, he served another four in the Army Reserves in a transportation division.
He had worked with Brown Trash Removal the past four years.
Gary was a member of First Congregational Church in Lexington, and the Historical Reenactment Society. As a member of the WWII Reenactment Society, 21st Panzer Division, he appeared in movies including "Horrors of War" and documentary features for the History Channel "Bridge of Remagen" and "Crossing the Rhine."
"Life's too short not to have a little fun" Gary would say, and his twisted sense of humor led to some of the oddest jokes and messed-up antics. He was quick with a comeback, and his favorite line "It's Beer:30, Dad" meant that it was 5:30 somewhere in the world, and time for a cold one. He and his father had a special project together: restoring his purple '68 Buick Gran Sport.
He loved his family unconditionally, and could always be counted on – as long as he didn't have to break a sweat.
Serious one minute, Gary's smile was more of a smirk that would spread to his eyes, and then light up the whole room. That smile often hinted to some kind of devilment.
Described as a good husband, and excellent father, he is survived by his wife Jessica (Kingman) Slusher, with whom he would have celebrated a first anniversary in two weeks; and his daughters, for whom he'd do anything: Taylor, Kaitlynn and Makenna.
Also surviving are his parents Daryl & Karen Slusher of Mansfield; his brother Darin (Katie) Slusher and his sister Leslie (Chip) Gifford all of Ontario; his maternal grandma Ruth Ann Welch of Mansfield; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by grandparents William & Gayle Slusher and Frank Milton Welch.
The Slusher family will receive friends Friday, January 22, 2010 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where his funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. Pastor Jonathan Cheatham will officiate. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery, where American Legion Post #535 will hold graveside military honors.
His family prefers contributions in his memory to the Gary Slusher Memorial Fund, and may be made at the funeral home.
There was no sense of entitlement about Gary, his needs were simple: a loving wife, adorable girls, and a supportive family. By all accounts a happy man, Gary didn't need any more than that ~ he didn't base his happiness on material possessions or position….but on loving relationships.
Gary was struck and killed Wednesday morning while working his trash collection routes, near Hayesville, in rural Ashland County. He was 32.
Born June 26, 1977 in Mansfield to Daryl and Karen (Welch) Slusher, he was graduated from Ontario High School in 1996.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was trained as an air defense artilleryman, and served in Bosnia as well as in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Described as an American Patriot, Gary made many trips on the "Road to Fallujah" re-supplying American forces. Honorably discharged as Sergeant, following his four years of active duty, he served another four in the Army Reserves in a transportation division.
He had worked with Brown Trash Removal the past four years.
Gary was a member of First Congregational Church in Lexington, and the Historical Reenactment Society. As a member of the WWII Reenactment Society, 21st Panzer Division, he appeared in movies including "Horrors of War" and documentary features for the History Channel "Bridge of Remagen" and "Crossing the Rhine."
"Life's too short not to have a little fun" Gary would say, and his twisted sense of humor led to some of the oddest jokes and messed-up antics. He was quick with a comeback, and his favorite line "It's Beer:30, Dad" meant that it was 5:30 somewhere in the world, and time for a cold one. He and his father had a special project together: restoring his purple '68 Buick Gran Sport.
He loved his family unconditionally, and could always be counted on – as long as he didn't have to break a sweat.
Serious one minute, Gary's smile was more of a smirk that would spread to his eyes, and then light up the whole room. That smile often hinted to some kind of devilment.
Described as a good husband, and excellent father, he is survived by his wife Jessica (Kingman) Slusher, with whom he would have celebrated a first anniversary in two weeks; and his daughters, for whom he'd do anything: Taylor, Kaitlynn and Makenna.
Also surviving are his parents Daryl & Karen Slusher of Mansfield; his brother Darin (Katie) Slusher and his sister Leslie (Chip) Gifford all of Ontario; his maternal grandma Ruth Ann Welch of Mansfield; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by grandparents William & Gayle Slusher and Frank Milton Welch.
The Slusher family will receive friends Friday, January 22, 2010 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where his funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. Pastor Jonathan Cheatham will officiate. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery, where American Legion Post #535 will hold graveside military honors.
His family prefers contributions in his memory to the Gary Slusher Memorial Fund, and may be made at the funeral home.
Gravesite Details
Veteran of the U.S. Army
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