Obituaries

Hubert Gerke

Hubert (Emil) Gerke, 82, of Tipton, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2012, at Tipton Oak Manor. He was born November 2, 1929, near Otterville, the youngest of 12 children, to Joseph and Emma Hainen Gerke. He was married September 21, 1954, in Tipton to Evelyn Koechner, who survives of the home. He graduated from Smithton High School. He was the second employee hired at Fischer Mfg. in 1949 and worked there until 1975. He owned Emil's Station and CafÈ from 1975 to 1981. He worked for Fasco Inc. in Eldon and Tipton, from which he retired. He was a school crossing guard. He was in charge of the Knights of Columbus Bingo stand for 20 years. He was a member of the St. Andrew's Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Darlene (Ronnie) Long and Anita (Donnie) Bracht of Tipton; two sons, Bruce (Becky) Gerke of Houstonia and Wayne Gerke of Denver; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer Schmidt, Amanda Long, Aaron Long, Amy Griffin, Donna Bracht, Don Bracht Jr., Chris Bracht, Terry Gerke, Anne Marie Gerke, Noah Gerke; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Geneva Fischer of California. He was preceded in death by seven brothers and three sisters. Funeral services for Mr. Gerke will be Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in the St. Andrew's Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday at the Meisenheimer Funeral Home in Tipton after 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the St. Andrew's Church, City Park, or Preferred Hospice.

Published February 14, 2012