Mr. Gerhardt was born Nov. 23, 1921, in Sylvan Grove. He married Alma J. Cooley on Nov. 20, 1943, in Shreveport, La. He was a diesel mechanic for 37 years and owned and operated Elmer’s Diesel Repair in Salina. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Peacemakers Sunday School Class and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1432 and The Bridge At Remagen Association.

He served as captain in the U.S. Army during World War II with the Third Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the Ninth Armored Division in the E.T.O. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge. His unit captured the “Remagen Bridge” and was the first to cross the Rhine River. He received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star and three Battle Stars.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma J., in 1995.

Survivors include two sons, Mark of Olathe and Brian of Santa Clarita, Calif.; a daughter, Pamela Knott of Coconut Creek, Fla.; a brother, Ray of Aurora, Colo.; two sisters, Mildred Anderson of Oklahoma City and Vera Mae Gier of Abilene; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401. Burial will be in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary.