Robert D. "Bob" Gerber, 86, of Bluffton, passed away Sunday morning, June 1, 2014, at Christian Care Retirement Community in Bluffton. Born on November 7, 1927, in Craigville, IN, to Eli R. and Rose E. (Schwartz) Gerber, Bob married Evelyn Stoller in Bluffton on November 12, 1950; she survives. A 1945 graduate from Lancaster Central High School, Bob served in the United States Army from 1946 to 1947. He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church and worked for the Blue Flame Gas Corporation in Bluffton for 35 years. After retirement from Blue Flame, he worked part-time for Reimschisel Ford in Bluffton for 18 years. For 20 years Bob volunteered at Bluffton Regional Medical Center. He had a passion for playing his harmonica at numerous events, known locally as the "Harmonica Man". Additional survivors include two sons, Bob S. (Luann) Gerber of Wolcott, IN, and Gene G. (Becky) Gerber of Bluffton; one daughter, Lisa A. (Kim) Troxel of Bluffton; 11 grandchildren, Bobbi (Eric) Heinold, Bethany (Josh) Johnson, Brittany Gerber, Brett (Elizabeth) Gerber, Jason (Ashley) Gerber, Randy Gerber, Jennifer (Jon) Isch, Matthew (Katie) Gerber, Tiffani (Andrew) Lovell, Ashley (Adam) Neuenschwander, and Dirk Troxel; and 13 great-grandchildren. Bob was also survived by four brothers, Wendell (Wanda) Gerber of Bluffton, Vernon Gerber of Bluffton, Victor (Julia) Gerber of Bluffton, and Tillman (Betty) Gerber of Bluffton; and one sister, Audrey Paxson of Spring Lake, MI. Aside from his parents, Bob was also preceded in death by one sister, Lucille M. Steffen - Clark. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 3, 2014, from 1:00 until 8:00 p.m., at Goodwin - Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel. Services will be held Wednesday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m., at the Apostolic Christian Church East, with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the church. Officiating the service will be John Reinhard and Vince Pfister. Burial will be at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery. Preferred memorials can be made to Christian Care Retirement Community or Family LifeCare of Berne, IN.
