Joseph Gerhardt

Joseph Gerhardt, 79, passed away Monday, April 12, 2010 at home surrounded by family. Joe was born in Green Cove Springs on March 5, 1931 to William and Della Gerhardt. Following graduation from Clay High School he served in the United States Navy on the USS Marshall for four years of the Korean War. Upon discharge Joe returned to Green Cove Springs and was employed as a Civil Servant at both NAS Jax and Cecil Field. He married the former Irene Merle Gravley and raised two children, Joey and Ryan. Joe loved every part of life on the St. Johns River including fishing, shrimping, boating, gardening, sunrises and sunsets. He is predeceased by his wife of 42 years Merle and his brother William. He is survived by his son Joseph Karl, daughter Ryan Elizabeth Widdowson, granddaughter Savannah Grace Gerhardt, grandson Clay Gravley Widdowson; sisters, Dora Tippins and Margaret Gerhardt, brother, Dan McInerney and Shirley, brother and sister-in-law, John and Bettye McKinley; sister-in-law, Ruth Gerhardt and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Joe was a member of Orange Avenue Baptist Church and will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, April 15, 2010 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel with Rev. Mike Dorough of Warner Robins, GA officiating. The family will receive friends in the chapel from 9:00 am until service time. A reception will immediately follow the service. A private burial will be held at Hickory Grove Cemetery at a later time. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.