REV. GERHARDT MENGERS, 78

Former Washington County resident Gerhardt Mengers, 78, died Aug. 11, 2008, at his home in Alliance, Ohio, under hospice care.

His body was donated to Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCM). A memorial service was held Nov. 8, 2008.

Gerhardt “Gay” Mengers was born Feb. 24, 1930, in Kenmare, N.D., to the Rev. Ethan and Catherine (Jensen) Mengers.

He graduated from Blair High School in 1948, and was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1962. He served Lutheran parishes in Ohio, including Good Shepherd, West Milton; Mt. Moriah, Berlin Center; and St. John’s, Covington. He retired in 1994 from Calvary Lutheran Church in Chillicothe.

In retirement, he served as interim minister at Emmanuel, New Philadelphia; Grace, Steubenville; Israel, Paris; Honteros, Youngstown; and Trinity, Carrollton.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; five children and their spouses, Joy and David Smith; David and Marie Elena Mengers, Amy and Eugene Walters, Timothy and Smita Mengers and Heidi and Richard Ferguson; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Gunnar Mengers. His cousin, Sara Hansen of Blair was a classmate, and remembers him for his sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by two infant children, David and Rebecca.

Memorials are suggested to Lutheran World Relief; NEOUCM, Rootstown, Ohio; or to VNA/Hospice in Alliance.