Obituary of Donald Gehrlein

Donald J. Gehrlein Donald J. Gehrlein, age 87, of Millcreek Twp. saw Heaven celebrated when he arrived peacefully after a very brief illness on July 8, 2011. He was born in Erie on September 25, 1923, the son of the late Frank and beloved mother Ida Becker Gehrlein. He graduated from the old Tech H.S. Don was a WWII Air Force Veteran, serving three years in England where he met and married his beloved wife of 62 years, Joan M. Wyatt Gehrlein. They were married in London where she served in the British Royal Air Force. Don was employed at the former Erie Art Metal Co. for 17 years, serving in various positions from 1947-1965. He then was employed for 37 years with the Warren Co. as a fabrication manager until his retirement in 2002. He was a member of the Sportsmen's Athletic Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 470, and the American Legion, Post 773. He enjoyed his family, current events, politics, and reading. Donald was a loving, kind, gentle, soft-hearted, wise, respectable, and generous man, as all who met him knew. He was his son and grandchildren's hero. He will be deeply, deeply missed and left us all with the most treasured memories that will be carried on for generations to come. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan M. Wyatt Gehrlein, brothers: Vincent, Robert, Richard, and Norbert, and his sister, Agnes Fogle. He is survived by one son, Christopher J.M. Gehrlein, of Erie, two sisters, Arlene Orengia (John), Rachel Holtz, one brother, Frank "Butch" Gehrlein (Theresa), three grandchildren: Jennifer Kelly (Mike) of Idaho, Christopher Gehrlein (Rachel) of Washington State, Meghan Jones (Aaron) of Oregon, four great-grandchildren: Gwendolyn, Owen, and Nolan Kelly and Hudson Jones, nephew, Jim Gehrlein (Linda), nieces, Linda Kepner, Janice Holtz, Ken Papp, several other nieces and nephews, long-time neighbor, Audrey Greco, and many treasured family members and friends. Per Don's request a private graveside memorial service will occur at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US Dept. of PA, 1808 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16508. Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video