He was born on April 14, 1927, in Idaho Falls to Joseph and Pearl Provincal Gellings. He attended New Sweden grade school, OE Bell Jr. High and graduated from Idaho Falls High School where he was student body president. After graduation, John served in the army occupational forces stationed in Germany and France from 1945 - 1947, returning home to help his father on the family farm. John married the love of his life, Joyce Schmier, on February 14, 1947, at Holy Rosary Parish in Idaho Falls and started their life together on the family farm in New Sweden. In 1970 John and his partner, Fred Thompson, started GPOD of Idaho. They operated this shed on Utah Avenue for three years until they built their new fresh pack potato warehouse in Shelley, Idaho. This shed was considered by many in the potato industry as the most state of the art packing facility in Idaho at the time, an accomplishment that he was very proud of. He operated this shed until his retirement in 1988. He was chosen Idaho's Outstanding Young Farmer in 1957 and was active in 4-H. In 1996 he was chosen to receive the Russet Aristocrat of Burlap award, the highest honor in his profession. He was inducted into the Eastern Idaho Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1993. He was a real advocate for agriculture, participating in the Upper Snake River Valley Dairyman's Association, West Side Soil Conservation District, Farm Bureau, the Grange and the Grower Shippers Association, where he served as chairman in 1985. John and Joyce enjoyed traveling the world with friends and family and in 1983 they bought a home in Arizona, where they spent each winter. He loved to golf, dance and spending time with his children. He loved his volunteer work with both St. Vincent de Paul and St. Joseph Hospital in Arizona. John is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joyce; five children, Tonya Smith of Meridian, Idaho, Steve (Tish) Gellings of Peoria, Arizona, Debbie (Garn) Theobald of Pocatello, Joe (Cheryl) Gellings of Buhl, Matt (Kathy) Gellings of Idaho Falls; nine grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, and two sisters. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2013, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 145 9th Street in Idaho Falls, with Father Jose Ramirez, celebrant. Burial will be in the New Sweden Cemetery. A Rosary will be held from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2013, at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls. A viewing for friends and relatives will follow from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. The family suggests donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul or to the Museum of Idaho.Idaho Falls - John B. Gellings, 86, of Idaho Falls, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2013, of natural causes.
Service Details.
Visitation
When:
Thursday, August 22nd, 2013
Location:
Funeral Home
Address:
Second Visitation
When:
Thursday, August 22nd, 2013
Location:
Funeral Home
Address:
Service
When:
Friday, August 23rd, 2013
Location:
Funeral Home
Address: