Donald R "Bud" Gerard

Donald R. (Bud) Gerard, 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 11, 2022 in Mishawaka, IN. On April 19, 1926 in Mishawaka, IN he was born to the late Ralph H. and Virgie (Kirkpatrick) Gerard. Also preceding him in death was his sister Ruth Miller and brother Paul Gerard.
On August 3, 1947 he married Mary J. Brenneman in Mishawaka, Indiana. They were married 65 years before she passed on January 28, 2013.
Bud lived his whole life in Mishawaka, Indiana and graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1943. He graduated early so he could enlist at 17 years old in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country as a sergeant during World War II spending part of his time stationed in Okinawa Japan.
He retired from Bendix (now Honeywell) after 40 years working as an experimental metalsmith.
Bud enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved to walk. In his retirement, he was often seen walking around his neighborhood with his walking stick. He volunteered for many years as a redcoat at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka. He was a long time member of The First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka.
Surviving Bud are his sons, Michael (Joyce) Gerard, Douglas Gerard, and Thomas (Sue) Gerard all of Mishawaka and daughter Lynne (Jules) Bickel of Elkhart. Grandchildren Clint Gerard, Michelle (Aaron) Leniski, Kyle (Amanda) Gerard, Sarah (George) Bake, Alex Gerard, Dr. Samantha Gerard, 2 step-grandchildren, Angie (Rob) Baldwin and Nick Bickel, eight great grandchildren, 4 step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Gerald (Joan) Gerard of Mishawaka and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may visit from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8 Street, Mishawaka. Funeral service will be at 11 am, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, with visitation 1 hour prior at The First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka, 201 E. Third Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544 with Pastor Rick Taylor officiating. Donald will be laid to rest in Olive Cemetery with military honors in Elkhart, IN.
Memorial contributions may be made to The First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka or Heartland Hospice, 230 W. Catalpa Dr., Suite D, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
The family would like to thank our Dad's many caregivers from Story Point Senior Living Center and the staff at Heartland Hospice for their wonderful care.
To leave the family on online condolence or to share a memory, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.
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