William J. Gearhart

William “Bill” J. Gearhart, 92, our dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, and our hero, passed away November 21, 2017. Dad was born on November 13, 1925, in Dayton, PA. He was the youngest and last surviving of ten children. Dad moved to Akron following his graduation from high school, but he never forgot his roots. He remained an avid Penn State and Pittsburgh Steeler fan his entire life. Shortly after moving to Akron, he entered the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during WW II. Dad worked for the Akron Public Schools as a custodian at several elementary schools ending his career at Hatton upon his retirement. Dad became a member of Zion Lutheran Church when he married Mom in 1949. Most recently he was a member of Tallmadge Lutheran Church. After thirty-eight years, Dad’s wishes were granted and he is again with his beloved wife, Margaret (Detzel). Dad’s smile and his gentle guidance will be greatly missed by his four children and their spouses: Dennis (Jan) of Akron, Cheryl (Mark) Luke of Doylestown, Brian (Lorraine) of Stow, and Scott (Tina) of Akron. He also leaves grandchildren: Greg, Tim, Jeff, Thomas, Joseph, Rebecca, Daniel, Meredith, Alexis and Corbin. He was great-grandpa to eleven. Dad’s final resting place will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, in Seville, OH, where private services will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44312 on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A celebration of Dad’s life will follow calling hours at 1 p.m. with Dr. David Zachrich officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tallmadge Lutheran Church at: www.tlcoh.org; or Disabled American Veterans at: www.dav.org. (Hopkins Lawver, AKRON, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com