Roger Gebhardt, 88, of Ottawa, died on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Pleasant View. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Rev. David E. Daniel, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 33 Veteran’s Group Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, at the funeral home.
Roger was born on April 11, 1930, in Ottawa to William C. and Wreatha (Ball) Gebhardt. He married Norma J. Beguin on February 26, 1952 in Jeffersonville, IN. She died on April 3, 1999. Roger was a veteran of the US Army and served from 1948-1952 in Korea, Guam, and Japan. He was a welder for Caterpillar in Aurora for 30 years. Roger was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, UAW and the American Legion. He loved going to auctions with his wife, cutting the grass with his John Deere, spending time with his family, especially his Sunday night visits with his granddaughter Carrie Jean, eating desserts, and watching Hee Haw Wrestling, the WWE and RFD TV.
He is survived by 3 children, Greg (Linda) Gebhardt, of Marseilles, Gay Anne (Tim) Hogan, of Ottawa, and Glenda (Carl) Eickleberry, of South Bend, IN, 9 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, one great-great grandson, 2 sisters, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Norma, a son Gary, a daughter Gail, a granddaughter Jennifer, 2 grandsons, Gary Jr. and one in infancy, and 2 brothers, Bill and Howard.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Memorials may be directed to Pleasant View Resident Fund or the donor’s choice.
Roger has been laid to rest in the Garden of the Last Supper.