Gaynor Leigh Burns Yoxtheimer, 82, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014.
She was born Aug., 7, 1931, in Ashland to the late J. Winfield and Mary Hammond Burns. She is predeceased by Robert P. Yoxtheimer, her husband of 58 years, who died in 2011.
Gaynor was a professional artist, who maintained a studio gallery in her home for many years. She is best remembered for her watercolor clowns and irises and her paintings hang in homes throughout the world, thanks to the many military friends she made through her husband’s government position. After leaving Ohio in 1960, Gaynor and family had homes in California, Montana and Oberweis, Germany.
She graduated from Ashland High School in 1949 and for a short time worked for F.E. Myers Pumps. Many years later she received her Associate of Arts Degree from Victorville (Ca.) Community College.
Gaynor was a member of First Christian Church, Ashland, and of the Ashland Garden Club. Her past memberships include: the Columbus Chapter of Sweet Adelines, the Gahanna Art League and Ohio Pen Women. Throughout her life she served in many leadership roles for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and volunteered countless hours in her churches and communities. She was an avid reader, excellent seamstress and adventurous world traveler.
Gaynor is survived by a daughter, Lynn Eib and her husband, Ralph of Spring Grove, Pa., and a son, James of Hillsboro. She also is survived by five sisters, all of Ashland: Gretchen Aten and husband Donald; Sharon Bates and husband Dean; Judith Lybarger; Eleanor Wells and husband Dale; and Pamela Jackson and husband William; and by one brother, Douglas Burns, also of Ashland. She is predeceased by two brothers, Stanley Burns and Gary Burns. Gaynor also is survived by three granddaughters, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, June 5, 2014, at Belmont Tower, 2140 Center St., Ashland, where she lived for the past three years. Officiating will be her son-in-law, the Rev. Ralph G. Eib, assisted by her pastor, the Rev. David Zerby. Guests may visit with the family after the service. Burial will be in Ashland County Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Brethren Care Village Foundation, 2140 Center St., Ashland; or First Christian Church Memorial Fund, 1425 King Rd., Ashland.
For those who are unable to attend, online condolences, or to light a candle in Gaynor’s memory, may be done at www.dpkfh.com
Denbow-Primm-Kemery Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.