Charles E. Gerstenberger

Charles Charlie E. Gerstenberger, age 78, of Fremont died peacefully in his Smith Road home Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2007. On December 24, 1928, he was born in Republic, Oh to now deceased Carl and Clemmie (McConnel) Gerstenberger. A Navy veteran that served during the Korean Conflict, Charlie worked as a farmer and as plant manager at Teledyne Dental of Fremont for over thirty years. On August 12, 1969 he married Ruth Karg in Clyde and she survives. Charlie was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Fremont and was President and volunteer of the Soup Kitchen that was held there. He was also a member of the Fremont Eagles, S.C.R.A.P., the Town & Country Farm Bureau Council and the Carousel Club. Charlie enjoyed his farm toy collectibles and making miniature barns, houses, churches, carousels and toy trains. Charlie is survived by son Donald (Karen) Gerstenberger of Clyde, daughter Shirley (Gary) VanKirk of Bellevue, step sons Dennis (Sherry) Lenhart of Clyde and Terry (Betsy) Lenhart of Delaware, OH, step son in law Tom Fisher of Clyde, brother Dorsey (Alice) Gerstenberger of Norwalk, sister Hazel (Kenneth) Linder of Bellevue, sister in laws Evelyn Gerstenberger of Findlay and Alice Gerstenberger of Norwalk, 14 grandchildren 5 great grandchildren and devoted dog, Peaches. He is preceded in death by his first wife Betty, son David Gerstenberger, step daughter Karen Fisher, step great grandson Alric Fisher, sister Irene Kiser, brothers Carl (Bud), Jr. and Paul (Butch) Gerstenberger, sister in laws Margaret Stoneburner and Nancy LaJuean and brother in laws Donald and Harold Karg. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 10:30 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Fremont where his body will lie in state for one hour before the service. Rev. James Avers and Certified Celebrant Maureen Pump will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Fremont. Burial with military rites performed by the Fremont American Legion and VFW Posts will be at Greenlawn Memory Gardens, Clyde. Memorials in Charlies name may be made to Hospice of Memorial Hospital or to the Grace Lutheran Church Boiler Fund.