Richard W. Gehres

Richard W. Gehres, 85, of Van Wert, died at 12:23 p.m. Monday, May 30, 2011, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was born June 4, 1925, in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, the son of the late Lawrence and M. Margaret (North) Gehres. On November 20, 1949, he married Alice M. (Kreischer) Gehres, who preceded him in death on August 21, 2010.

Mr. Gehres was a retired farmer and a bus driver for Crestview Local Schools. He was a member of St. Paul’s Reformed Church in America and belonged to Homer Pierson Post 207 of the American Legion. He was a 1942 graduate of Wren High School and a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II.

Survivors include a son, Robert (Deborah) Gehres of Ohio City; two daughters, Gloria (Clark) Ringwald of Middle Point and Carol (Ronald) Kill of Van Wert; six grandchildren, Craig (Kristy) Ringwald, Matthew (Karen) Ringwald, Alison (Brett) Hammons, Stephanie (Brian) Renner, Bradley (Heather) Kill and Brian (Nora) Gehres; and eight great-grandchildren, Caden, Kassidy Ringwald, Gavin, Madison Ringwald, Maxwell and Marshall Hammons and Carter, Emerson Renner.

A great-granddaughter, Hope Grace Renner, also precede him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at St. Paul’s Reformed Church in America in Harrison Township, with the Rev. Chad Strabbing officiating. Burial will be in Evangelical Protestant Cemetery in Harrison Township, with graveside military rites performed by the Willshire post of the American Legion.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Friday, June 3, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind., or St. Paul’s Reformed Church in America.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.cowanfuneralhome.com.