WALTERBORO – Mr. John Franklyn Gilgen, resident of Veterans’ Victory House, formerly of the Ashepoo River for 35 years, died early Thursday morning, April 4, 2025, at the age of 86. He was the son of Emily and Charles Gilgen of New Philadelphia, Ohio. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Linda S. Gilgen, daughters Vonda G. Calcutt, MD (Andrew Calcutt, MD) of Walterboro, SC and Christa G. Martin (Rolfe Martin, JD) of Atlanta, GA and 5 grandchildren: Steffen Rolfe Martin (27), Samantha Sue Calcutt Olenic (26) (Ryan), John Christian Martin (24), Lance John Berkeley Calcutt (24) & Ryan Hite Martin (22). John was predeceased by his infant son Lance Odell Gilgen (1963) and brother Charles “Fritz” Gilgen (2024). Born in Dover, Ohio on February 2, 1939, he graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1957, where he played football and excelled on the track team. John joined the US Navy in 1957, where he served as a submarine torpedoman and deep-sea diver on the USS Argonaut. After 4 years of service, he returned to New Philadelphia to join the family business as a sausage maker. In 1962, he married Linda S. Springer; they started their family and moved to Orangeburg, SC in 1969. In 1970, the family moved to Walterboro, for John’s employment at Old Fort Packing Company to manage the kitchen and sausage making. In 1972, he became a salesman for the southeast region for McClancy Seasoning Company located in Fort Mill, SC. While at McClancy, he created specialty nut coatings for clients throughout the U.S. and later developed a patent for extending the shelf life of coated nuts. After a 31-year career at McClancy, he retired in 2004. John was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Walterboro, SC, where he worshiped and served since 1970. In support of his daughters, he was also an avid Band of Blue supporter (1970’s and 1980’s) and served as the booster club president for several years. In moving to the lowcountry, he found a love of boating, fishing, gigging and shrimping in the coastal waters. John also enjoyed hunting for arrowheads and amassed a collection of thousands of arrowheads and artifacts from all over the southeast during his free time as a salesman. Favorite past times included collecting antique bottle openers, fishing poles, and cookbooks as well as gardening. He also enjoyed working in his shop and creating handcrafted specialty knives for friends and family. John and Linda enjoyed travelling throughout the U.S. with John’s work and spending time with their friends, family and grandchildren. In 2012, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family trip to St. Croix. Since 2000, the family has enjoyed an annual vacation to Edisto Beach. It has been the best of times. John will be remembered as the wonderful husband, Dad, and Papa that he was. His jokes and his kind nature will be sorely missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known him. The family would like to thank the Veteran’s Victory House staff, especially the Currey Wing, for their excellent, loving care during this last year. He will be interred at the Beaufort National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 110 May Street, Walterboro, SC 29488. Arrangements by: The Brice W. Herndon And Sons Funeral Homes And Crematory, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.
