Leon E. Gerhart

Leon E. Gerhart, 98, passed away on Friday, August 9th, 2024, at Legends of Lancaster Retirement Community. Born in Lebanon County, May 24th, 1926, to William Gerhart and Clara Mae Weise Garhart Sweigart. He was married to the late Betty (Wenrich) Gerhart for 67 years.

Leon was a member of the Swamp Lutheran Reformed Church for 65 years, where he served in the choir and as a Sunday school teacher. He was a later member of Salem Evangelical and Reformed Church. He served his country in World War II, stationed in Italy and United States. He worked for 60 years at the Weave Corporation in Denver as a weaver. He was also a member of the Reinholds VFW. After retiring, Leon purchased and sold antiques for 15 years. Leon was an avid gardener of vegetables and flowers and was well known for his topiary birds on yard shrubbery. Music was a passion of Leon’s, and he connected best to his faith through song. His singing and conversation will be dearly missed by his loved ones and friends.

Leon is survived by a son, Craig, and daughter-in-law Marty, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by grandson, Daniel; sisters, Hettie Engle, Kathryn Sweigart, Carrie Hilton, Baby Alice, Clara Showalter; brothers, John Gerhart, Frank Gerhart, William Gerhart, Roy Gerhart, Harvey Gerhart, Jacob Gerhart, & Walter Sweigart.

Viewing will take place on Tuesday, August 13th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with a service beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Salem Evangelical and Reformed Church, 12 E Church St, Reamstown, PA 17567. Leon’s final resting place will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Sinking Spring.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are appreciated to the Water Street Mission, www.wsm.org.