- Date Of Birth: March 5, 1924
- Date Of Death: December 20, 2013
- State: Illinois
Wood A. “Grandpa” Gebhardt Sr., 89, of Virginia, IL died Friday, December 20, 2013 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.
He was born March 5, 1924 in Cass County, IL, the son of Alfred A. and Blanche Fielden Gebhardt. He married Juanita Hardwick on September 25, 1946 in Scott County, IL and she preceded him in death on January 6, 1996.
He is survived by a son, Duff Gebhardt (wife, Pam) of Albuquerque, NM; eight grandchildren, Leslie Mahoney (husband, Joe) of Tijeras, NM, Laura Bardsley (husband, Andy) of Lantana, TX, Emily Tidwell (husband, Josh) of Denver, CO, Blake Gebhardt (wife, Crista) of Springfield, Brandi Handley (husband, Mike) of Bon Aire, GA, Steven Graves of Springfield, Sara Garza (husband, Nathanial) of San Antonio, TX, and Jennifer Hays (husband, Eric) of Virginia; 17 great grandchildren; a sister, Rosemary Ruhl of Louisville, KY; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Marilyn Petefish of Virginia.
He was preceded in death by a son, Wood A. Gebhardt Jr. (surviving wife, Debby of Virginia) and a brother, Kent Gebhardt.
Wood was a graduate of Virginia High School and served with the US Army Air Corps during WW II. He was a long-time farmer in Cass County and later served as a maintenance supervisor for the Jacksonville Holiday Inn. He was a member of the Virginia United Methodist Church and Jacksonville Amvets Post 100. He was a past Illinois State Commander of the Amvets. He enjoyed knife making and collecting, sharing coffee with friends at the Depot Restaurant, and winter trips to Gulf Shores, AL with Marilyn.
