Gerald E. Hendricks, 98, of Alvordton passed away Friday morning at Hillside Country Living in rural Bryan. He was born on July 8, 1918 in Madison Township, Williams County to Charles and Martha (Throne) Hendricks. Gerald graduated from Kunkle High School in 1936 as the valedictorian with 12 years of perfect attendance. He then received his Bachelor’s Degree from Manchester College in Manchester, Indiana in 1940, and his Masters of Education from Toledo University in 1965. On June 15, 1941 he married Elouise M. Stiving and she preceded him in death in April 2002.
Gerald was active in the Eagle Creek Church, Lick Creek Church and Silver Creek Church of the Brethren, Northern Ohio District and Brotherhood serving on commissions and committees. He was called to be a Life-Deacon in the church of the Brethren. He was a member of the Pioneer Lions serving Lionism for 46 years and was a Melvin Jones Fellow in Lionism. He also had memberships in the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Williams County Retired Teachers, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Farm Bureau. Gerald was inducted into the North Central Hall of Fame in 2004.
Gerald spent forty years in public education. He was a teacher / high school principal in the former Sulphur Springs High School, Crawford County from 1941-1946; teacher / principal in the former Pioneer High School from 1946 until its consolidation in 1957 then at North Central High School 1957-1966; and he was the High School Supervisor for Hardin County Schools from 1966-1981. He also taught Driver Education for 26 years. He farmed the Hendricks Family Centennial Farm from 1946-1966 and 1982-2004. He was living in retirement at Hillside Country Living in Bryan.
He is survived by two sons, Charles (Judy) Hendricks of Sarasota, Florida and Morris (Kay) Hendricks of New Bavaria, Ohio; eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; wife Elousie; son Rodney Hendricks, daughter in-law Sharon Hendricks, four sisters Thelma White, Etolah Hinkle, Ruth Mulligan; one brother Herald Hendricks.
Visitation for Gerald will be on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 2-8pm at the Thompson Funeral Home on Main Street in Montpelier. A Lion’s Club ceremony will be at 7:30 pm at the funeral home. Services will be on Friday, October 7, 2016 at 11am at Silver Creek Church at 17482 County Road 16, Pioneer with Reverend Dorothy Ritchey-Moore to officiate. There will be 1 hour of visitation prior to the service. Interment at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer.
Memorial contributions may be given to Silver Creek Church or to the charity of the Donor’s choice. Condolences can be left for the family at www.thethompsonfuneralhome.com