John K. Poyner, 30, Hanover, died suddenly from injuries sustained in a tornado that struck near Chelsea at 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2012, at his home near Hanover.

He was born Jan. 22, 1982, in Princeton, loving son of William “Bill” and Susan Jo (Selby) Poyner of Fort Branch.

He was raised in Fort Branch and was a 2000 graduate of Gibson Southern High School, where he was a star baseball player and served as the pitcher. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, played American Legion Baseball, and coached the Fort Branch Babe Ruth League.

He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.

He was united in marriage on June 19, 2010, at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, to Erin Faye Gerth.

He was employed with Sherwin Williams Company since 2005, first working in Evansville for the Green River Road store and currently managing the Madison store.

John loved his dogs, Milton and Maggie. He was an avid Seattle Mariners fan, enjoyed riding four-wheelers, target shooting and working with kids.

He is survived by his wife, Erin Faye (Gerth) Poyner of Hanover; his parents, William “Bill” and Susan Jo (Selby) Poyner of Fort Branch; his sister, Jaymie Jackson and her husband Mike, of Avon; his nephew and nieces, Maxwell Jackson, Delaney Jackson and Addison Jackson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Wilma Gerth of North Vernon; aunts and uncles, Wayne and Rita Poyner, Alden Poyner, Michael and Karen Poyner, all of New Johnsonville, Tenn., Mary and Larry Foga of North Vernon; and several cousins and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William Knox and Roberta Ann Poyner and John and Martina Selby; and his aunt, Nancy Poyner Johnson.

Funeral services are at 6 p.m. Monday, March 5, at Morgan and Nay funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, officiated by Rev. Beth Walden Fisher, Rev. Katrina Pekich-Bundy and Pastor Kevin Wilson.

Burial follows at Montgomery Cemetery near Oakland City.

Visitation is at the funeral home from 3-6 p.m.

Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Montgomery Cemetery near Oakland City.