Obituary: John Gebhart, 100-plus, of Hart.

March 12, 2021

John Wilson Gebhart

Obituary: John Gebhart, 100-plus, of Hart.

John Wilson Gebhart, 100-plus, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2021, at his home. He was born March 31, 1920, in Hart to Weaver S. and Nellie (Martin) Gebhart. He attended Garver School and graduated from Hart High School where he was very active in FFA and band.

After high school, John worked on the family farm. He met his future wife, Beatrice (Dorrance) on a double blind date and continued to date until they were wed on December 20, 1939. They were married at his parents’ home and took their first trip to Bradenton Beach, Florida for their honeymoon.

John and his wife of 72 years worked together building Golden-Hart Fruit Farms into a legend at the Muskegon Farmers Market and beyond. They worked the farm, peddled fruit to the U.P., made maple syrup, fresh apple cider, and educated customers about the quality. He was very proud of being a part of three generations growing fruit on the original farm and having six generations working together.

He had so many interests: Charter Member of Melody Mates, driving his semi to Florida in the winters, John Deere equipment dealer, Arctic Cat dealer, Happy Wanderers RV Club, played saxophone in the Ringling Bros. winter quarters in Sarasota, Fla., and the TCT band in Tampa.

John is survived by his daughter, Shirley (Robert) Oles; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Gebhart; nine grandchildren, Stacie (Frank) Clark, of Hart, Tonjia (Sonny) St. John of Manisique, John (Kelly) Kinstner of North Muskegon, Stevie aka Amy Kinstner (Billy Walker) of Shelby, Shawn Dayharsh of Arizona, Christy (Jeff) Forner of Grand Rapids, Jeff (Tammy) Gebhart of Hart, Danielle (Gary) Barnes of Troy, and Darci (Bryan) Acrich of Commerce Township; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beatrice; daughter, Beverly Dayharsh; son, Robert J. Gebhart; brothers, George and Walter; and sister, Nora Krantz.

The family would like to thank Margaret Ewing, Lalo Vasquez, Tim Bosse, and Harbor Hospice for their care of John.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice or the Robert J. Gebhart Scholarship Fund.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 N 72 Ave, Hart, MI 49420. Visitation will be held Saturday, from 10 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Hart Cemetery.

Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.