Obituaries

John McGartland

Photo of John McGartland
John J. McGartland, 94, of Fulton, was called to his Heavenly Home on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 6, 1924, the son of the late Ira McGartland and the late Helen (Meyer) McGartland. He met Lucy Covi at a dance and they were married on December 2, 1950. She survives his passing. He went by the name Jack and enjoyed visiting with people and having a good time. He was the last surviving member of the Kindergarten Buddies, a group of boys who became friends in kindergarten and remained close for decades, even raising their families together. Jack was an avid fisherman with his Kindergarten buddies and with his son, even into his 90's. He was also a Cardinals baseball fan and helped coach his son's sports teams. Being an entrepreneur, he earned his living through various business ventures but primarily through sales of electronics and real estate. He was a voracious reader, especially of biblical and spiritual texts. He held strong political and religious views which he readily shared with everyone. He became a creative gardener and was rewarded with an occasional piece of produce. Jack was always honing his apothecary skills curing everything with vitamins, hydrogen peroxide, and DMSO. A lifelong devout Irish Catholic, he embraced the Charismatic Catholic movement in the 1970's. Jack served at his parish, St. Justin the Martyr in St. Louis, for over 40 years as well as facilitated bible study groups, counseled for the 700 Club, and served as a communion minister at St. Anthony's Hospital. After moving to Fulton, Mo., he served in several capacities at St. Peter's parish including serving as a role model for the school children by attending daily Mass. In 2007, Jack and Lu moved from their St. Louis home of 50 years to Fulton, Mo. to be nearer to family. When Lu required daily care due to health issues, Jack tended to her including learning to operate the microwave to cook their Meals On Wheels dinners. When they moved into Presbyterian Manor, Jack continued to tend to Lu and frequently instructed staff how to care for her. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of 67 years; daughters, Deborah Gross (Kenneth) of Fulton, Mary Lu Hogan (Larry) of Wildwood, and Jacquelyn Horn of Mehlville; son, Kevin McGartland (Patricia) of Mexico; sister, Catherine Heyl of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren, Kimberly Pierce, Kristen Gross, Kelly Gross, Sean Hogan, Kara Hogan, Jacob Horn, Nicholas Horn, Hannah Horn; Michelle Hoefner, Paul Hoefner, and Keith Bussler; and great -grandchildren, Jayden and Claire. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert McGartland; and sister, Patricia Menne. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Fulton. Friends will be received from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Inurnment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to Meals on Wheels, St. Peter Parish, or Faith Maternity, c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Boulevard, Fulton, MO 65251. Condolences may be left for the family at www.maupinfuneralhome.com.

Published November 7, 2018