Frank George Gebhardt, 78, passed away at home on August 10, 2013 after a long illness. One of the last babies to be born at home, Frank was born on December 23, 1934 to the late Charles (Chuck) and Marcelle (Mimi) Gebhardt in Old Forge, NY.
Frank was graduated in 1957 from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point in New York and was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy.
He worked in Schenectady, NY at Alcoa Locomotive for five years and then for Verizon Telephone Company for 25 years.
He retired as District Manager of Network Maintenance and Operations in 1992.
He was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Dunnellon, FL and enjoyed skiing, hunting, golfing, fishing, and woodworking.
He was devoted to his wife of 19 years, MaryLou. Mr. Gebhardt was preceded in death by his brother, Mark Gebhardt.
Surviving family includes his wife MaryLou; sister Annette and brother-in-law Arthur Eyre; brother Robert and sister-in-law Johnnie Gebhardt; sister Marcelle and brother-in-law Bill Cecchin; loving children, son Erik and daughter-in-law Linda Gebhardt; son Garren, daughter Heidi and son-in-law Bruce Bonacquist; son Kurt and daughter-in-law JoAnne Gebhardt; daughter Gretchen and son-in-law Joseph Demerest; son Glenn and daughter-in-law Yvette Myers; son Gregory Myers and daughter-in-law Daria Mallin.
Also surviving are his eight grandchildren Jennifer and Tyler Gebhardt, Amanda and Jessica Slivienski, Taylor Lewis, Zachary Gebhardt, Ethan and Garrett Myers.
The family has donated his remains to the University of Florida Medical School for research.
A Memorial Funeral Mass, honoring his life, will be celebrated on Saturday, August 17 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Dunnellon, FL, with Father Kevin officiating. A repast will follow at Rainbow Springs Golf and Country Club.
Family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Marion County, P.O. Box 4860, Ocala, FL 34478-4860 or H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon, FL.
