Thomas Yeates Gehr, Oct. 27, 1918 – Oct. 17, 2005, 86, Duneland Beach, IN, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2005 at 3:47 p.m. in Michigan City, IN. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 at the Notre Dame Catholic Church with the Rev. Keith McClelland officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Stanislaus Cemetery with Full Military Services conducted by V.F.W. #2536. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel and 10:15 a.m. til Mass time Saturday at Notre Dame Catholic Church. A Vigil Service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday in the chapel. Mr. Gehr was born Oct. 27, 1918 in Chicago, IL, to Samuel Whipple and Eleanor, nee Doherty, Gehr. On April 16, 1944, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, he married Marie Victoria Kientzy who preceded on Nov. 6, 2002. Survivors include four daughters, Gretchen Gehr of Duneland Beach, IN, Linda and Karen Gehr of Michigan City, IN and Shelly Gehr of Chicago, IL; three sons, Richard and John Gehr of Duneland Beach, IN and Thomas Gehr Jr. of Northbrook, IL; four grandchildren, Iris and Clayton Young of Michigan City, IN and Samantha and Kelly Gehr of Northbrook, IL; one sister, Esther Jepsen of Omaha, NE; one brother, Arthur Gehr of Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by one sister, Eleanor Gibson. He graduated from Evanston Township High School in 1936 and Northwestern University in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II and later served as the commander of the U.S. Naval Armory in Michigan City, IN. After the war he worked for Pullman Standard in Michigan City and Chicago where he was Vice-President of sales in the track equipment division. He then joined Matisa Corp. as U.S. Sales Vice-President. In 1961 he co-founded ESCO Equipment Service Co. of Chicago, IL. Mr. Gehr was a life long Chicago Cubs fan who never lost his optimism. He met all of life’s challenges with courage, fortitude, and a positive outlook. He was devoted to his family and was a hero to his children who will love him forever. Mr. Gehr was a fifty year member of the Chicago Athletic Association. He was a member of Notre Dame Catholic Church. Contributions may be made to the Share Foundation for the Handicapped c/o Rev. Dennis Blaney, P.O. Box 400, Rolling Prairie, IN 46371. To sign a guestbook and leave condolences online, visit www.otthaverstock.com.
