Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mabel E. Gearhart

July 27, 1918 - Oct. 31, 2003

South Bend Tribune 11/4/2003                                    

Mabel E. Gearhart, 85, of Beckley Street, Granger, Ind., died at 7:20 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in her residence. She was born on July 27, 1918, in St. Joseph County, Ind., to the late Ida (Lahners) and Chester Rodgers.

On July 30, 1934, in Plymouth, Ind., as Mabel E. Rodgers, she married Richard D. Gearhart, who preceded her in death on April 26, 1994. They were married for 59 years. Mrs. Gearhart was also preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Badders on Sept. 14, 2001; a grandson, Steven Gearhart on March 17, 2003; a sister, Fern Hamilton; and by a brother, Lawrence Rodgers. Mrs. Gearhart is survived by a daughter, Janet (Clifford) Boyer of Mishawaka; a son, Gerald (Brownie) Gearhart of Corinth, Texas; five grandchildren, Shaun (Tammy) Boyer, Crystal (Daniel) Englehart, Rhonda (Chris) Atkinson, Gregg Badders and Vicky (Richard) Hahn; a granddaughter-in-law, Terri Gearhart; 11 great-grandchildren, Christopher, Bryan and Kristen Englehart, Brandon Boyer, Jeramy Jenks, John Storm, Krissy Gibbons, Jacob Badders, Noah and Matthew Atkinson, and Eric Cooper; two great-great-grandchildren, Dylan and Cameron Jenks; and by two brothers, Glenn (Treva) Rodgers of Nappanee, Ind., and Bernard (Rochelle) Rodgers of Valparaiso, Ind. Mrs. Gearhart was a mother and a homemaker. She was a member of Granger Presbyterian Church, Granger.

Services for Mrs. Gearhart will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today. Rev. Harry Collier will conduct the funeral services. Burial will be at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. The family would like to thank the Elkhart General Hospice for all of their invaluable care and help they provided Mrs. Gearhart during her illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elkhart General Hospice, 2020 Industrial Parkway, Elkhart, IN 46516; or to the American Heart Association/Midwest Affiliate, Memorial and Tributes Program, Dept. 77-3968, Chicago, IL 60678-3968