Services for Matthew Gearhart, 44 of Missouri Valley, Iowa, who died June 23, 1996, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Missouri Valley, were Wednesday, June 26, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Missouri Valley. Rev. James Kleffman officiated. Burial was in Mt. Carmel Cemetery at Missouri Valley.

Matthew Gearhart was born January 16, 1952, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Walter and Marjorie Carpenter Gearhart. He attended St. Patrick’s School, St. Albert High School and graduated from the Missouri Valley High School.

Following graduation, he began working for the Chicago and North Western Railroad as an apprentice signalman. He had worked for the C & W and Union Pacific railroads for 25 years as a signal maintainer.

He received an honorable discharge from the U. S. Army Reserve in 1978.

He was a life member of St. Patrick’s Church and served on its Bingo Committee at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter.

He is survived by his wife, Corinne of Missouri Valley; a daughter, Sarah Gearhart of Highland Mills, New York; sons, Justin Gearhart of Highland Mills and Emil Gearhart of Missouri Valley; sisters, Roi Anne Gearhart of eagle Grove, Iowa, and Gretchen Chord of Torrington, Wyoming; brothers, Mark of Columbus, Nebraska, and Marty of Toledo, Iowa; his mother Marjorie Gearhart of Missouri Valley and nieces and nephews.

Casket bearers were Bill Wolhlers, Mark Tierney, Steve Feyerherm, Dave Larson, Terry Jacobson and Byron Bertelsen.

Honorary bearers were Jim Poore, rich Walker, Rodney Osweiler, Mary Furne, Bill Petersen and Norman Hulsebus.

Mary Ellen Jones was organist. Gurina Wolford was song leader.

Hennessey-Hurley-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

(Veteran)

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave # 139535089