Age 68, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018 after a hard-fought battle against pancreatic cancer. He left this world peacefully, with his wife and son at his side. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; Russell and Evelyn Branstetter and sister; Penelope Steinert-Jackson. Gary was born January 27, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1988. He lives on in his loving wife of 30 years, Wendy Lindberg Branstetter; and his son, Jacob Russell (Megan) Branstetter; sister-in-laws Valerie Lindberg Detjen and Jane Ward Lindberg; brother-in-law Douglas Detjen; nieces and nephews.
Gary graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1968 and studied Automotive Technology. After working in the automotive field, he changed his career focus and spent the majority of his professional life in public service. He began as a Firefighter and EMT in St. Louis, and after moving to the Dayton area became a volunteer with the Kettering Fire Department. He spent 26 years with the Sugarcreek Township Police and Fire Department in many positions. First with the Fire Dept.; as a Firefighter/EMT, Arson Investigator, Public Information Officer and Building Inspector; serving from the rank of Firefighter/EMT to Assistant Chief. After his time with the Fire Department he continued to serve the Township as the Fleet Manager for the Police Dept. and Maintenance Technician for both Police and Fire, mentoring all the “kids” that joined the department, retiring in 2017.
Gary spent 25 years in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary; teaching Boating Safety to the public and patrolling many of Ohio’s waterways. He also served as the Auxiliary’s State Liaison Officer to Ohio’s Boating Law Administrator. He spent many years volunteering with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Parks and Watercraft; he was a certified instructor for OBEC (Ohio’s Boating Education Course) and later, a Governor-appointed member of the Ohio Waterways Safety Council; Gary worked with multiple organizations throughout the area and was particularly active with the Friends of Caesar Creek. He was happiest sharing his passion, skills, and enthusiasm to promote what he held so dear to his heart - the beauty and wonder of nature and its waterways.
The family will receive friends for a celebration and remembrance of Gary’s life on May 5, 2018 from 2-5 PM at Tobias Funeral Home – Far Hills Chapel, with a “Time to Share” at 3PM. Memorial donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org), Hospice of Dayton or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.
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