Emil C Gerth Obituary (1922 - 2016)

Emil C. Gerth, age 94 of lifelong resident Elwood passed away peacefully at home on Monday December 26, 2016. Emil was born on July 16, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri to Paul and Frances (Haverkamp) Gerth. Emil served in the Army in Europe during World War II and was honorably discharged as a Corporal. Following his graduation from St. Louis University in 1949, he went to work for Continental Can Company. On September 29, 1951, he married Dorothy Sieckmann. After living in St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Elwood and Cincinnati, Emil retired from Continental Can in 1979, and he and Dorothy returned to Elwood upon his retirement. Emil was very involved in volunteering in Elwood. He umpired Little League, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was a lector and cantor for St. Joseph Catholic Church. Emil was involved in starting the YMCA soccer league and was a referee in the early years. Emil was an avid supporter of Elwood sports and played golf daily in good weather well into his eighties. Emil is survived by six children, Mark (Kayte) of Indianapolis; Nancy of Monroe, Ohio; Luke (Agnes) of Elwood; Philip (Mary Ann) of Indianapolis, Brian (Mimi Hart) of Cincinnati and Alan (Susan Calvert) of Lafayette. He is also has surviving grandchildren Andrew, Matthew, David, Jonathan, Nicole, and Steven. Emil is also survived by brothers George (Debra); Bill (Barbara); Bob, and sister Shirley (Ed) Radford and numerous other family members. Emil was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his parents, brothers Paul and John, sisters Norma Gerth and Ruth Rehagen, and his grandson Alexander Gerth. Funeral service celebrating Emil's life will be at 11:00 AM Friday, December 30, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Dan Duff. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery with full military graveside rites conduct by US Army and the Elwood VFW American Honor Guard. Visitation will be Thursday, December 29, 2016, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Dunnichay Funeral Home in Elwood. Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the St. Joseph's Church Building Fund.