Daniel “Dan” L. Gearhart, 75, of Pioneer passed away Friday morning at the Toledo Hospital. He was born on March 17, 1941 in Bryan to Edward Frederick and Mabel Marie (Fix) Gearhart. Dan graduated from Edon High School in 1959. After high school Dan worked for the Ohio Turnpike in the maintenance department, Kunkle Building, until he left to serve his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After the war he earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from IPFW University in Fort Wayne. On October 18, 1986, he married Susan K. Keough in Kunkle and she survives.
In 2003 Dan retired from Mike Keller Construction after 10 years as a carpenter. Prior to that he worked for the ARO Corp in Bryan for 25 years. After high school Dan worked for the Ohio Turnpike in the maintenance department, Kunkle Building,. He was a member of the Pioneer American Legion and the Montpelier Eagles and Moose. Dan also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Susan of Pioneer; daughter Dana (Mike Poncsak) Ross of Bryan; two grandchildren Michael Ross and Michala (Keegan) Puterbaugh; one great grandchild Baylor Puterbaugh; brother William L. Gearhart of Edon; sister Sue (Connie) Dewire of Hamilton, Indiana; and he was a special father figure to Arlena Hair of Zebulon, North Carolina.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, sister Fern Hemenway, and brothers Donald, Jacob, Richard, Waldo, John and Larry Gearhart.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 2nd at 1pm at the Montpelier Moose. A meal and a celebration of life will follow. There will be a private graveside service at Edon Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Carly Cares PO Box 2562 Whitehouse, Ohio 43571. Condolences can be left at www.thethompsonfuneralhome.com