Gary Grant Bantum

Published May 19, 2026 - 10:04 a.m.

Elderly man in glasses and brown hat seated in front of an American flag graphic with 'VETERAN' text. — Gary Bantum

Gary Grant Bantum, 87, died Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Lafayette Pointe Nursing & Rehabilitation in West Lafayette.

He was born April 10, 1939, in Coshocton to the late Fred and Geraldine (Howard) Bantum. He served in the United States Army from January 1962 until December 1963 and was very proud to have played in the US Army Band while in Germany.

He married Carole Jean (Snyder) Bantum on March 31, 1985, who preceded him in death April 13, 2026.

Gary retired from the former Ansel Edmont in Coshocton. He was a long-time member of the Walhonding Rube Band and the Coshocton Community Band. He was very involved with Friends of the Park and narrated the canal boat tours at Roscoe for many years. He was also an accomplished self-taught sailor. He loved spending time at his cabin, and he loved family very much.

He is survived by his daughters, Cindy Diehl of Moon Twp, PA, Linda (Mark) Hampton of Warsaw, and Karen Liu of Newton, MA; grandchildren, Matthew Diehl, Sydney (Robert) Goode, Matthew (Karime) Massaro, Marie Schwartz, Nicholas Hampton, Mark Liu, and John Liu; great-grandchildren, Camila & Isabella Massaro, and Riley Schwartz; two nephews, Matt (Charlotte) Bantum, and Brett (Melissa) Bantum; a niece, Misty (Todd) Friel; a daughter-in-law, Joyce Massaro; and sister-in-law, Sandra Bantum.

In addition to his parents, and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lloyd Bantum; and a son, Mark Massaro.

A private graveside service will take place in Valley View Cemetery in Warsaw. Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw is handling arrangements. FischerFuneralHome.com.

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