JAN VOILES
For John Gasser of near Milroy, being retired doesn’t translate into inaction. He spends part of his time operating a taxi service for area Amish families.
“Right now, I’m retired, but I’m a taxi driver,” he said, adding that it’s a job he really enjoys.
“It’s great,” Gasser elated. “You’re your own boss. If you want to go you can; if you want to stay home, you can.”
He added that the taxi service has taken him to many destinations: to local retailers, festivals, Berne, northern and southern Indiana.
“We go to Ohio and Illinois, wherever you want to go. As long as you’ve got the money we’re ready,” he laughed.
When he’s not on the road providing a transportation service Gasser likes to participate in his favorite hobby, camping.
“The best part is getting away from everything, getting your feet up, getting away from the telephone usually,” he commented.
John is an elder and active member at Valley Christian Church in Brookville.
He hasn’t really given much thought to what he would like people to know about him, but he did offer some sage advice.
“I’d say turn to the Lord first. Do the best you can and leave the rest to God.”
John and his wife, Jane, have one son, John, and two daughters, Carol and Annette. They also have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. John has two sisters living — Katherine in Dunreith and Alice in Muncie — and one brother, Max, who lives in North Carolina.
The son of the late John and Charlotte Gasser, John Gasser the taxi driver was born in Laurel and grew up in Laurel and Milroy.
He graduated from Milroy High School in 1960. His classmates got together about 10 years ago and are thinking about their 50th anniversary in 2010. His future wife Jane was in the same class, he added.
Milroy was “fantastic” at that time, John enthused.
“We had a spirit that wouldn’t quit. We had rivalries with other schools that wouldn’t quit.” he exclaimed.
Those rivalries went beyond sports, Gasser recalled, to agricultural contests between the county schools. Those rivalries were strong too, with each school wanting to have the most winners in each competition. His areas of expertise were dairy and poultry.
Whether he’s providing transportation, serving his church, spending time with his family, reflecting on his high school experiences and rivalries or getting away from it all camping, you can be sure John Gasser is enjoying whatever adventure is unfolding and looking forward to more.
Jan Voiles can be contacted at jan.voiles@rushvillerepublican.com or at (765) 932-2222 ext. 107. Add a comment to this story at www.rushvillerepublican.com
