Gearhart, Charles R. (1925 - 2016)

GEARHART, POEHLMAN, ARKFELD, MCDERMOTT, POLDBERG, KEMP, CHRISTENSEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 10/21/2016 at 21:20:41

Name of deceased: Charles Raymond Gearhart

Aged: 91 yrs, 3 mo, 23 days

Residence: Elm Crest Retirement Community’s Assisted Living, Harlan, IA (since 2010)

Born: June 23, 1925; Harlan, IA

Died: Oct. 16, 2016; Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, IA

Funeral services: Friday, Oct. 21, 2016; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Harlan, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA, with military rites provided by the Helmer-Reyelt American Legion Post #150 and the VFW Post #941.

Survived by: Son, Michael (spouse, Ruth) Gearhart of Kearney, NE; daughters, Kathleen (spouse, Doug) Poehlman of Kansas City, MO and Denise (spouse, Tim) Arkfeld of Cincinnati, OH; sisters, Shirley McDermott of Atlantic, IA and Myrna Poldberg of Harlan, IA; brother, Stewart W. Gearhart of Reno, NV; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Ellis Raymond and Bonnie Blanche (nee Kemp) Gearhart; wife of 59 years, Esther Gearhart (deceased Sep. 11, 2010); son, Wayne A. Gearhart; grandson, Wayne J. Gearhart; 3 brothers; 1 sister

Education: attended Center Township No. 4 country school (Shelby County, IA) and graduated from Harlan (IA) High School

Religious affiliation: baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Kimballton, IA; member, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, IA; he sang in the choir for 35 years and served on the Church Council there.

Military service: U. S. Army, March 1945 to Nov. 1946; he then served in the U. S. Army Reserves for 6 years

Marriage: Esther Christensen; Feb. 16, 1951; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Kimballton, IA

Employment: Charles farmed for a short time, but then drove the Standard Oil truck for 16 years, followed by working at Agriland FS, Inc., until 2000. He loved children and thoroughly enjoyed driving a school bus for 30 years.

Hobbies/Interests: Charles loved music and served as a Harlan Band Parents board member, and he often played his accordion for church groups and his fellow Elm Crest residents. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and was a member of the Pinochle Card Club for 35 years. He was also a member of the Helmer-Reyelt American Legion Post #150 and the VFW Post #941. Family gatherings were always special for him, especially birthdays and Christmas, and Charles was known for remembering others by sending greeting cards.

Sources: kjan.com; knodfm.com; burmeisterjohannsen.com