Earl John Gerdeman

Earl John Gerdeman, 85, of Delphos, died at 3:55 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2015, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born January 3, 1930, on a farm near Middle Point, the son of Edward and Helen (Renner) Gerdeman, who both preceded him in death. On June 23, 1956, he married Doris (Meyer) Gerdeman, who survives at the Sarah Jane Living Center in Delphos.

Other survivors include a sister, Janice Kaskocsak of Dayton; one brother, Bill (Mary) Gerdeman of Delphos; a brother-in-law, Carl (Ida) Meyer of Columbus; two sisters-in-law, Lorene (Louis) Jettinghoff of Delphos and Marilyn (Gary) Elsass of Sidney; and many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

A sister, Ella Mae Gogel; an infant brother, Robert Cletus; and two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Gogel and Valentine Kaskocsak, also preceded him in death.

Earl graduated as valedictorian of the Middle Point High School Class of 1948. He attended The Ohio State University and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocational agriculture. He taught vocational agriculture at Payne High School until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1952. Following his term of service, he taught vocational agriculture for 35 years at Lincolnview High School until his retirement in 1989.

During his time in the U.S. Army, he went to blacksmith school and taught blacksmithing to soldiers being sent to Korea until his discharge in 1954. He then used those skills to teach other agriculture teachers around the state for the Ohio Board of Education.

Earl was a lifelong farmer who loved to share is passion for agriculture. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing his produce with neighbors and friends. He was a loyal fan of the Lincolnview Lancers and Cincinnati Reds. He also enjoyed attending ballgames of his many great-nieces and nephews and rarely missed a game.

In 2013, he received the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service Award. In addition, he received the American FFA Degree, was named “Outstanding Agriculture Teacher” for the state of Ohio and was a past Ambassador Club member for the Ohio Farm Bureau. He also served on a governing boards of Van Wert County Hospital, Midwest Electrical Cooperative and Van Wert County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus council in Delphos and volunteered yearly for Van Wert County’s “Cows and Plows” event, teaching young students about farm history and old-fashioned agriculture. Additionally, he mentored young farmer and adult farmer organizations.

He was a lifelong member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at St. John’s Church. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Delphos, with full graveside military honors performed by the Delphos Veterans Council.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Monday, July 20, at Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, where a parish wake will be held at 2 that afternoon.

Preferred memorials: Earl J. Gerdeman Scholarship Fund at Lincolnview High School or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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