Gerald Eish

ROCK HILL - Mr. Gerald Paul Eish, 75, of 3163 Emerald Lane, went to plant gardens in heaven on Monday, April 6, 2009, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, N.C.

A funeral Mass to celebrate his life will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 13, at St. Anne Catholic Church. Father William Pentis and Father Adilso Coelho will be officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memorial Park, South Cherry Road, Rock Hill.

A Rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, April 12, at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill.

Gerald was born on Aug. 30, 1933, in North Canton, Ohio, to the late Raymond W. Eish and Emma Miller. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Janet Gearin and one brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Ida Mae Lafferty of Salineville, Ohio.

“Jerry” is also survived by his children, Rita Hoyt and her husband, Steve of Columbus, Ohio, Raymond and his wife, Laura of York, S.C., Carolyn Wray of Clover, S.C., Connie Morgan Forbes and her husband, Douglas of Concord, N.C., Jim and his wife, Jodie of Columbia, S.C., Kim Tiedemann and her husband, David of Cassatt, S.C.; and eight grandchildren.

After graduating from Carrollton High School, in Carrollton, Ohio, Jerry served in the United States Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. He earned a degree in electronics at Kent State University while supporting his family as a dairy farmer, and later as an electronics technician. He was a devoted father who worked to put all six children through college. He spent his retirement restoring antique tractors, gardening, caring for the natural wildlife in his yard, and enjoying time with his wife and children who greatly admired this strong and wise man.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, where Jerry was an active member for 30 years,1694 Bird Street Rock Hill, SC, 29730. Condolences may be made on-line at www.greenefuneralhome.net.