Gary R. Halbert

HALBERT, Gary R., passed away June 17, 2005, at his Sebring, Fla., residence, with his family at his side. Gary was born in Martin, Ky., where he graduated from high school then served his country as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. He was a former resident of St. Marys, Ohio, and a past member of Mercer Lodge, St. Marys, and Antioch Shrine Club of Dayton, Ohio. After moving to St. Marys, he was a supervisor with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He and his wife built and owned Halbert Auto Sales, Halbert's Tire and Exhaust, the restaurants The Pizza Shack, Chicken America and Steffie's, The Style Salon and Family Hair Care. He also developed Rolling Hills Estates in St. Marys. He was former chairman of the building committee during the building of the fellowship hall of Hillsdale Baptist Church in St. Marys. After moving to Sebring, Fla., he was in sales at Allan Jay Chevrolet Cadillac for several years, a former member of Sebring Kiwanis Club and a member of First Baptist Church, Sebring. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Rhoda Halbert; brothers, Donahue and Stanley Halbert; brother-in-law, Fred Strohl; sister-in-law, Barbara Jutte; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Eleanor Strohl Sr. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Sandra "Sandee"; daughter, Stefanie, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; sisters, Jewell (Jack) Sullivan, Sebring, Fla., and Jonette Halbert, Kentucky; sister-in-law, Ruth Strohl, Ohio; and his aunts, nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A celebration of Gary's life will be held July 9, 2005, at Hillsdale Baptist Church, 1001 Holly St., St. Marys, Ohio, with Gene McBride and Gary Adams, former pastors of Hillsdale Baptist Church, officiating. The family suggests memorial donations to Hillsdale Baptist Church or a charity of choice. Morris Funeral Chapel, Sebring, and Millers Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, St. Marys, Ohio, are in charge of arrangements.