Michael L. Gerheim

1941 - 2023

Michael "Mike" Lee Gerheim, 82, of Leechburg, joined his beloved wife, Patricia ("Pat") Hamnett-Gerheim, in eternal rest Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Brookville Hospital after an extended illness. Born May 8, 1941, at the old Riggle School House, in Stullville, Gilpin Township, he was the son of Robert C. and Helen A. (Sperringer) Stull. Mike was later adopted and raised by his aunt and uncle, Michael C. and Beulah G. (Sperringer) Gerheim, and they remained close with the Stull Family. He was a 1959 graduate of Arnold High School. Mike met his dear wife, Pat, on Valentine's Day, 1964, in Washington D.C., where he worked for Trans World Airlines (TWA) and served honorably for four years in the Army (Combat Engineers / Explosives / Rifle Sharpshooter). He and Pat married in November of 1965, and moved to Lower Burrell. He transferred his military service to the Pittsburgh-based Air Force Reserve (sergeant /heavy equipment) for four years. He and Pat raised three daughters, Rebecca, Ann Marie and Elizabeth; and bought a former Girl Scout camp and wildlife paradise, where they built their home only a few miles from where he was born in Gilpin Township. After TWA, Mike became a materials inspector / wireman for Bell Telephone / Western Electric in Pittsburgh, and later worked for AT&T / Bell Laboratories (GaAs Semiconductor manufacturing) in Reading, Pa., retiring with over 25 years of service. During that time, he also served (at various ranks) on seven police departments in five PA counties, including Gilpin, Kiski, Loyalhanna, Brecknock and Cranberry Townships, and Saltsburg and Sinking Springs Boroughs. Mike served as the head of security at the Kiskiminetas Springs Prep School, and, as a mentor to local area youth, regularly led drug / alcohol awareness programs at local schools and was an advisor to R.I.D. (Rid Intoxicated Drivers). He was certified as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and CPR instructor. Mike continued his dedication to public service and the pursuit of justice when elected for multiple terms to serve over 20 years as a PA Magisterial District Court judge. He was known around the Alle-Kiski Valley for his fair, "second-chance" manner, colorful humor and the extensive taxidermy museum which decorated his office. After retirement, he served an additional 10 years as a PA Senior Court judge. A Boy Scout himself, Mike volunteered as the BSA chairman for the River Valley District Moraine Council, and received the 2004 National Quality District and the 2005 Moraine Trails Council Service Excellence Awards. He was honored to share the scout tradition with his grandson, and they celebrated Jesse's Eagle Scout rank with a fishing trip to Northern Quebec. As an Elks member, he received The Distinguished Citizenship Award in 2009, and the Outstanding Youth Activity Volunteer 2008-2009. Mike was a member of the Leechburg Rotary for more than 34 years, and as president, he encouraged a vote to permit women to join the traditionally men's-only club. His wife Pat joined shortly after, and he and Pat were blessed with many wonderful relationships from around the world as they represented the U.S. when traveling to Australia and hosting Rotarians from Australia, India, Korea and Brazil. They both remained close with the Thai foreign exchange student (Dear Pattarawadee Tongkoom), who graduated in the Leechburg Class of 2010. Mike was recognized as Rotarian of the Year in 1992, and was a Paul Harris Fellow plus 3. He was inducted into the Leechburg Hall of Fame in 2006 for his local volunteer work especially as a youth mentor. Mike treasured the friendships that grew from he and Pat's collective lifeworks in communities across Western PA, and the many trips and gatherings shared with family and friends. Mike was an avid outdoorsman, and spent a great deal of time hunting and fishing. He loved to gather with close friends at favorite spots like Hooks Brook (Kinzua, Pa.), Aladdin, Wyo., West Virginia, Maine, Manitoba and Quebec, and he cherished turkey and deer hunts family, especially with his granddaughter, Sarah. Mike enjoyed backpacking, and he hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail with his grandchildren, Brian, Erin, Jeff and Sarah, and other family members. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, and enthusiastically supported the freedom provided by the U.S. Constitution. Mike and Pat took up golf later in life, and enjoyed the time spent with friends on the greens across the U.S., including at the North Star Golf Club in the Fairbanks, Alaska. His most favorite course was any that he could share with his granddaughter, Jenna. In addition to his parents and his beloved wife of 57 years, Pat (profoundly missed since July 11th), Mike was preceded in death by his siblings, Betty J. (William D. Moore / Harold C. Kelly), Robert N. Stull (KIA - WWII Pacific), Lois E. (Bates) Thomas, Thearl A. Stull, Theodore G. Stull, Judith H. Stull and Erma J. (Wilmer J.) Woodring; and brothers-in-law, Leo Mitchell and Harrison H. Hoft. Mike is survived by daughters, Rebecca S. (Eric) Beck, of Valencia, Ann Marie Gerheim-Johnson, of Brookhaven, Pa., and Elizabeth J. (Kurt) Jaeger, of Clarion, Pa.; grandchildren, Brian A. (Carmen Uptmor) Beck, Erin K. (Matt) Zenger, Jeffrey J. (Samantha Demas) Beck, Jesse M. (Kayla Verona) Johnson, Sarah E. (fiance Cody Beers) Beck and Jenna N. Johnson; great-grandson, Caleb Beck-Zenger; and siblings, Beulah N. Mitchell, Emogene I. (Jon) Schreiber, Helyn B. Hoft and Dan (Cheryl Coyle) Stull; and sister-in-law, Janet N. (Myers) Stull. Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in the CURRAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 300 Market St., Leechburg. A celebration of life tribute service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in the funeral home. Please join the family as they honor Mike's life. Following the service, a police escort will take Michael to his place of rest at Greenwood Memorial Park, where military honors will be accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Liburn, GA 30047, Boy Scout Troup No. 553, Attn: Kelly Remaley, Committee Chair, 232 Myers Road, Vandergrift, PA 15690, or to the Leechburg Rotary Club, P.O. Box 163, Leechburg, PA 15656. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.