Gary S Van Wert

Gary Stephan Van Wert was born September 8, 1948 to Ford "Red" Van Wert, Sr. and Elenor (Jones) Van Wert in Scranton, PA. He was raised by his Aunt Amie and Uncle Teddy White next to the Lackawanna coal mine where grandfather Stephan Van Wert was the Cane brake boss. Gary was active in the symphony and was a lifeguard at Scranton Technical High School. He joined the Air Force at 18, and was stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey, Abilene, TX, Lakenheath, England, Kinchole AFB, Sioux Saint Marie, MI and retired from Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA after 20 years of serving his beloved country. Gary drove truck for Conco Foods, repaired semi refrigeration units for W & B Refrigeration and retired after 14 years delivering students at Bossier Parish Community College. On September 2, 1968 Gary married Sybil Hicks-Bowers in Shreveport, LA and was blessed with two children. On February 26, 2005 Gary married Cardova "Cordi" Thompson in Shreveport, LA and made his home in Ringgold, LA. Gary loved to hunt and fish! He coached softball and was a Girl Scout Leader. Gary enjoyed travel, festivals and was a member of the NW LA Bluegrass Association. Gary went to better place October 18, 2019. Gary leaves behind his loving family: brother, Ford Van Wert, Jr.and wife Cheryl; son, Dan Carter and wife Lisa of Virginia Beach, VA., son, Gary Van Wert Jr. of Warroad, MN; daughter, Dianne Van Wert of Warroad, MN; special son-in-law, Leslie Thomas of Warroad, MN; son, Jonathan Thompson of Napa, ID; son, Mathew Thompson and wife Cindy of Clever, MO; son, William Thompson of Tehachapi , CA; daughter, Sarah Thompson of Haughton, LA; special son, Gary Seegers, Jr of Sibley, LA; nephew, Ford Van Wert III and wife Cherie & children; nephew, Greg Van Wert and wife Patty & children; 15 grandchildren, Emma Carter, Samantha and husband Ricky Mizzel, Christina Thomas and significant other Johnny Cothran, Rebecca Thomas, Preston Thomas and wife Hailey Jo, Logan Thompson, Morgan Thompson, Triston White, Ethan Thompson, Annabell Thompson, Justin Howe, Abigail Micheal, Kay De Micheal, Bekah Seegers and Ryan Seegers; and four great grandkids, Elizabeth,Cody, and Trenton Klosterman and Alayna Thomas-Cothran. A memorial prayer at the flag pole at 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville, LA 71047. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 6:00 PM on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Rose-Neath South Side Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, LA. Graveside services with full military honors will be conducted on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 9:00 a.m., at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville, LA 71047.