ELYRIA - Betty Jean Gerhart (nee Dietrich), 85, of Elyria passed away Friday, August 23, 2013, at the Cleveland Clinic following a sudden illness.
She was born December 7, 1927, on the dining room table at her family home in Lorain, the daughter of the late Otto and Lena Dietrich (nee Cushman). She worked as a teenager in her uncle's bakery and attended Lorain High School where she loved to sing. She performed in the Senior Choir as a junior and also sang and danced (tap & toe) at The Palace Theatre in Lorain. Upon marrying, she moved to North Ridgeville where she and her husband lived in the basement while they built their home. She truck farmed there and delivered geraniums with one arm while holding her baby son in the other. She also recovered from polio at this time.
Betty Jean was a co-founder of Luxury Heating Company and moved to Sheffield in 1956, where she worked in the family business, was President of the PTA for Brookside High School, and was a Brownie troop leader. She later moved to Elyria in 1969 and got her realtor's license and worked for a short time for Dempsey Realty in Elyria. She also survived a brain tumor at the age of 42, one of the first to be detected by the CAT scan at the Cleveland Clinic.
Betty Jean volunteered at Elyria Memorial Hospital and with the American Red Cross. She enjoyed family vacations to Indian Rocks Beach, Florida and later to Treasure Island, Florida. She loved the sun, beach and water and, in later years, walking at Burr Oak Metroparks in Elyria. She especially loved her family and babysitting her grandchildren.
Mrs. Gerhart is survived by her son, Darrell; two daughters, Gayle Manning (the late Jeff Manning) and Donna (Stuart) Birkby; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her beloved cat, Sweetpea.
Friends may call at the Busch Funeral Home, 32000 Detroit Road, Avon. from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27. Busch Certified Celebrant Barbara Habecker will officiate. Interment will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.
Memorials may be forwarded to the EMH Foundation, 630 East River St., Elyria, OH 44035 (440-937-6175).
www.buschfuneral.com
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4 Entries
Imagine how time flies ! But, thoughts of Mom, Grandma, Dear Friend still are present in our lives. I recently spoke with Allison, who planted the red rose bush that I had nursed and grown from Betty's memorial six years ago, and she kindly said that she thinks of this beautiful kindness whenever she glances at the flowers, which will brighten her day. Of course, I was very moved and honored to be a part of the Gerhart Family.
Still thinking of YOU Betty - With My Love, John S. Toth (Sheffield Village Friend of 71 years).
John S. Toth
Friend
August 19, 2019
"MOM Gerhart" always brought the best smiles wherever she went...
Our sincerest thoughts are with the entire Gerhart Families during this heartfelt time.
With our Love and Fond Memories,
John & Barbara Toth
John S. Toth
August 26, 2013
Gayle, Darrell & Donna,
My deepest sympathy to you and your families on the loss of your mother. She was a very kind and carring person.
David Hammer
August 26, 2013
We will miss 'Mrs. G' and her warm, generous smile.
Denise and Lily Pattyn
August 25, 2013
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Busch Funeral and Crematory Services - Avon32000 Detroit Road, Avon, OH 44011
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