John Gartner, 48, died peacefully on Oct. 17, 2010. Born on Jan. 22, 1962 and raised in Oak Park, he attended Holmes, Beye, Emerson Junior High (now Brooks Middle School) and Oak Park and River Forest High School, graduating in 1981.
As a child, he loved Scoville Park where he often played, enjoying picnics in the summer and sledding in winter. He loved camping, fishing and swimming and was a Cub Scout, Weeblo and Boy Scout. He enjoyed photography and took many beautiful pictures.
Mr. Gartner attended United Lutheran Church where he was a Luther League member. He enjoyed all sports and was a #1 Huskies Fan. He was also a wrestling manager at OPRF. His favorite teams were the Chicago Cubs, the Bears, Packers, Blackhawks, Bulls, and UIC Flames. He watched and took pictures of Casey, his nephew, play baseball, basketball, and football, and he videotaped his games at Proviso East.
Among his many jobs, he worked in the cafeteria at OPRF, which led to his interest in taking a course in restaurant training at Triton Jr. College. He worked at Poly Cleaners for 19 years, as a part-time janitor at United Lutheran Church, and volunteered at UIC.
Friends and family ask that you “please smile and whistle for John.”
John Gartner is survived by his parents, Joe and Mary Gartner; his twin sisters, Joan and Susan “Susie”; his nephew, Casey; his aunt, Betty; many cousins; his friends, Tom, Rick, Mark, Kayla, and Pastor Jon; and two cats, Buster and Dusty.
