Joan Gebhardt

Joan Marie Oldach Gebhardt

Homemaker and Volunteer

Erie, PA

Joan “Jody” Marie Gebhardt, age 92, passed away on October 28, 2016 in Erie, PA. Born to John B. and Edith Cushman Oldach on April 6, 1924, she was sister to Edward C. Oldach, deceased. In 1945, Joan married her beloved husband, Richard C. Gebhardt and in May they celebrated their 71^th anniversary.

Joan Gebhardt lived in Erie her entire life. She rode her Hoffman’s Cycle Shop bicycle to her father’s drapery business on French Street, to flute lessons, elocution lessons, friends’ homes and horseback riding at Alger’s stables. Among her many achievements, she worked as a personal shopper at the Boston Store in the 1940s. Pastor E. Maclay Gearhart and Lutheran Memorial Church helped mold Joan’s strong character that she passed on to her four children. Joan’s many friends include schoolmates from Harding School where she later volunteered as a reading tutor. After World War II, she and her husband attended Kent State University where she obtained a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and was a member of the Kappa Delta Sigma Sorority. Returning to Erie, she and her husband set up home on Delaware Avenue and eventually Kahkwa Boulevard. Her skills as an elementary educator helped her provide many activities and support for her children as they grew up. Mrs. Gebhardt was very committed to her family and neighbors and encouraged her children to be considerate of both. Her motto was always: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Mrs. Gebhardt was also an active member of the Junior League, the AAUW, The Women’s Club of Erie, the Delta Sigma Sorority and the Carrie T. Watson Club.

She was a devoted, creative and caring mother for her four children her entire life: Surviving Joan are her husband, Richard C. Gebhardt, and children; Mark C. Gebhardt, MD and his wife Kristi of Boston, MA, Lisa M. Blevins and her husband Ralph of Westminster, MD. and Bruce C. Gebhardt, MD and his wife Robin of Erie. Her daughter Amy Gebhardt Hagelin, a librarian at the Wooster Public Library, sadly died at age 28. Joan has six grandchildren: Jonathan and Susanna Gebhardt, Jordan Bles, and Melanie Blevins, and Ben and Anna Gebhardt and a great granddaughter, Rosella Joan Bles.

Funeral arrangements are by Scott’s Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held on November 4, 2016 at 1:00PM preceded by visiting hours from 11:00-1:00PM at Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle Street, Erie, PA. Interment will follow at Erie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wayne County Public Library, 304 Market Street, Wooster, Ohio 44691 (www.wcpl.info) to the Amy Gebhardt Hagelin Fund.