William P. Gearhart 1931-2001

GEARHART, KERTELS, CLIFTON, RETH, SAUNDERS, JACOBSON

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 10/2/2017 at 20:15:38

William P. Gearhart, 69, died Sunday, June 10, 2001, in his home after a lengthy illness. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, First United Church Methodist Center, Hopkinton, by the Rev. Martha Montovani. Burial: Fairview Cemetery, Earlville. Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. today at Clifton Funeral Home, Earlville, and one hour before services Wednesday at the church.

William, the son of Paul W. and Philomenia Kertels Gearhart, was born Dec. 28, 1931, in Farley, Iowa. He graduated from Buck Creek High School in 1949 and farmed with his dad until entering the U.S. Army in December 1952. He served in the Korean War and returned to Hopkinton in November 1954. On March 10, 1955, he married Joyce Clifton. They farmed on the Johnston farm until 1964, when they moved to the family farm. Bill retired from farming in 1995.

Bill was a Union Township trustee for over 25 years. He was an avid Massey Harris collector which cultivated many friendships. He was a member of the Massey Collectors Association, Northeast Iowa Farm and Antique Association and Delaware County Historical Society. His family was very important to him and he appreciated spending time with them.

Surviving him are three sons, Clif (Deb) Gearhart of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Andy (Martha) Gearhart of Delhi and Rob (Laura) Gearhart of Coggon; five grandchildren, Chris of Palm Beach Gardens, Melissa of Waterloo, Michael of Delhi and Ryan and Jenna, both of Coggon; three sisters, Margaret (Melvin) Reth of Oskaloosa, Gayle (Lyle) Saunders of Manchester and Sandra (Jim) Jacobson of Dodgeville, Wis.; plus several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife on May 19, 2001; and a brother, Dr. Herbert Gearhart.

A William Gearhard memorial has been established.

Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA) - Tuesday, June 12, 2001