Paul Gerke

Paul E. Gerke, age 84, of Ligonier, IN, passed away on October 23, 2014 at 5:20 PM at Avalon Village in Ligonier, IN. He was born on August 13, 1930 to Rudolph and Frances (Cozik) Gerke in Fort Wayne, Indiana. On September 5, 1953 he married Helen Bredemeyer at the Emmaus Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She survives. Paul graduated from South Side High School in 1948 and went on to serve his country honorably in the 1st Division Marine Corps in the Korean War. He worked as a self-employed Plumbing and Heating Specialist. Paul was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ligonier, Indiana, the American Legion, VFW, and the DAV. Surviving are his wife, Helen; four children, Vicki (Mark) Ober, Lori (Scott) Wilkins, Pastor and Mrs. David (Candace) Gerke, Tracey (Michael) Noe; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Richard, John, and Kenneth; a half-brother, Ronald Woods. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Rudolph, Robert, and Walter; one sister Dorothy Woods. A funeral service will be held in Mr. Gerke’s honor on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Schamehorn and Pastor Gerke officiating. Burial will be in Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, In. There will be a time of visitation on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 from 2:30-7:30 PM at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, IN 46767 and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion Ligonier Post or Wounded Warrior Project.org