02/04/2016

Obituary for Michael J. Gearhart

Father of Andrew Gearhart and former owner of Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory

Michael J. Gearhart, 63, of Van Wert, died Wednesday morning, February 3, 2016, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born August 19, 1952, in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, the son of N. Joseph and Ardith Ann (Banks) Gearhart, who both preceded him in death. On September 29, 1973, he married Janet L. (Haines) Gearhart, who survives in Van Wert.

Other survivors include two sons, Andrew (Nichole) Gearhart and Mitchum (Brooke) Gearhart, both of Van Wert; two brothers, Monte (Mary) Gearhart of Blue River, Wisconsin, and Thomas (Nikki) Gearhart of Bryan; and a sister, Patricia (Dr. Bruce) Vermilyea of La Valle, Wisconsin. Mike’s four grandchildren were truly a blessing in his life and he affectionately referred to them as Lex, Soph, Nate, and Lo Lo.

Mike was the owner and a funeral director at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert who retired after 40 years of service. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, where he had served on many committees.

He was the current president of the Van Wert County Foundation Board of Trustees, a current member of the Van Wert Federal Savings Bank Board of Directors, a member of Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 ad the Van Wert Cougar Booster Club. He was a past two-time president of the former Van Wert Kiwanis Club, a former Van Wert Pony League coach, an avid New York Yankees fan, spending the last 14 years in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Janet, for the Yankees’ spring training camp. He loved supporting his sons and grandkids in all of their activities and he took great pride in supporting and serving the Van Wert community, and was humbled by the support his community has, in turn, shown him.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 7, at First Unitd Methodist Church in Van Wert, with the Rev. Gus Christo-Baker officiating. Private graveside services will be held at Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Saturday, February 6, at the church.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert High School Athletic Department, First United Methodist Church or the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

Arrangements were handled by Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.