Gus Gerstner

Melvin L. “Gus” Gerstner, 83

Melvin “Gus” Gerstner, of Union City, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Greenville, Ohio.

He was born August 26, 1931, to the late Charles R. and Ruby (Harmon) Gerstner, the younger of two boys. A 1949 graduate of the old East Side High School, he became a pipefitter and enjoyed a long career with Tibbetts Mechanical Contractors, where he worked on notable area sites like Ball State University and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He was a Life member of the United Association of the Plumbing & Pipefitters Union Local #440 and active in the E.U.M. Church in Union City, Ohio. Gus belonged to the Elks & Eagles Lodge of Union City, Indiana, was past Worshipful Master of Ansonia Masonic Lodge, Life member of Versailles Lodge #0290, Versailles, Ohio, and was a past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Ansonia, Ohio.

When he wasn’t working, Gus enjoyed bowling, fishing and playing golf, especially with a group of friends who made annual trips to Tennessee. He was a huge supporter of Mississinawa Valley basketball and enjoyed watching the many players he helped coach in the 5^th & 6^th grade program that he helped start in the old East Side gym. After his retirement, he liked to cruise the main streets and alleys of town, checking on the local happenings and making sure his family and friends were at work (or play). 

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Roberta (Jones) Gerstner; daughters Jennifer (Roger) Reese and Lisa (Scott) Butt; grandchildren Sharilyn (Christoph Fuhrmans) Hufford, Jessica (Chris Lences, boyfriend) Hufford, Alyssa (Steve) Gower and Curtis Butt; great grandchildren Audrey and Caleb Gower and Hannah Fuhrmans; and several nieces and nephews. He was especially close to niece Joni Graham and family friend Karen Mills. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gerald Gerstner.

Visitation will be noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2014, at Reichard Funeral Home Inc., 400 W. Deerfield Rd., Union City, Indiana, followed immediately by funeral services. Burial will be in Snell Cemetery, Union City, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to the E.U.M. Church or Union City, Ohio, Fire and Rescue. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reichardfh.com