Edward Gehring

November 14, 1926 - December 30, 2016

Edward J. Gehring Sr., 90, of Harbor Beach, MI passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, December 30, 2016 surrounded by family. Edward was born on November 14, 1926 in Harbor Beach, MI, the son of the late John and Edith (Zmich) Gehring. Edward and Marianne Shaltry were united in marriage on April 4, 1959 at St. Anthony of Padua Retreat House in Saginaw, MI. Together with his wife Marianne and family, Edward owned and operated Rock Falls Farm just south of Harbor Beach on M-25 where Edward raised Registered Belgian Horses and Registered Holstein Cattle. Edward was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Lake Huron (Holy Name of Mary Parish) Catholic Church and attended Our Lady of Lake Huron Catholic School. Edward served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corp, 4th Division during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. Upon returning from the war Edward was instrumental in organizing the Harbor Beach VFW Post #9344 and served as a Charter Member. He was a member of the “WWII Fighting Fourth” Marine Organization which had its final muster in August of 2015. Edward served his community as a Sand Beach Township Board Member, Huron County Soil Conservation/ASCS Committee member, Michigan Milk Producers Advisory Board and Member Delegate, Huron Community Fair Board, Huron County DHIA Board, Huron County Holstein Association Board, Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America, and he was the Charter President of the Thumb Draft Horse Association. Edward’s hobbies and interests were many and varied. He enjoyed Antique Cast Iron Farm Seat Collecting, Golden Bantam Chickens, Flemish Blue Giant Rabbits, Draft Horse Shows, Dairy and Beef Cattle Shows, was supportive of 4-H and FFA events, vegetable gardening, but most of all he enjoyed his two favorite passions of fine and detailed woodworking in his woodshop, and the sight and sound of his Purple Martins. He loved visiting with family, friends and neighbors, and especially his grandchildren. Edward is survived by his wife Marianne of Harbor Beach, MI. Children: Edward J. Gehring Jr. of Harbor Beach; Constance M. (Terrance) Kramer of Harbor Beach, Robert J. Gehring of Harbor Beach, William G. (Lenai) Gehring of Harbor Beach, Paul (Tracy) Gehring of Harbor Beach, Jean (Thomas) Booms Jr. of Port Hope, MI; Mark Gehring of Nashville, TN; and Joseph (Rhonda) Gehring of Harbor Beach. Grandchildren: Kristin (Charles) Rawlings of Cass City, MI; Ryan (Dannia) Kramer, of Harbor Beach, MI; Jenna (Justin) Gentner of Ruth, MI; Keith Kramer of Harbor Beach, MI; Aaron, Brandon, Alyssa, Renee, Kara, Jared, Kaylee, and Luke Gehring, all of Harbor Beach, MI; Kyle, Trevor, and Tyler Booms of Port Hope, MI and Landon Gehring of Nashville, TN. Great Grandchildren: Derek, Rylee, Brynn, Reagan, and Brielle. He is also survived by Sisters and Brothers-in-law Magdalene (Hessling) Gehring of Bridgeport, MI; Jaqueline (Shaltry) Knudson, CA; Gerald Shaltry, CA; Michael Shaltry, CA; Michael and Kathleen (Shaltry) Gunther, CA; Dr. John (Sue) Shaltry, Big Rapids, MI; Sharon Shaltry, Freeland, MI; Jed and Susan (Shaltry) Batcke, Saginaw, MI; Tom and Therese (Shaltry) Luplow, Saginaw, MI and numerous nieces and nephews. Edward was preceded in death by his son, Michael Joseph Gehring, his parents John and Edith Gehring, his father and mother in law, John Lawrence and Frances (Cashin) Shaltry; God parents: Frank and Mary Grates, brothers: Elmer Gehring, John Gehring; Sisters: Elizabeth (Gehring) Dutcher, Marie (Gehring) Ryckman; Brothers-in-law: Clarence Dutcher, Quentin Ryckman, Thomas Shaltry, Joseph Shaltry, and Dennis Shaltry; Sisters-in-law Grace (Allen) Gehring, Patty Lu Shaltry. Visitation for Edward will be at Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach, MI on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass for Edward will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Holy Name of Mary Parish (OLLH), Harbor Beach, MI. Visitation will also be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers the family of Edward kindly requests donations to Holy Name of Mary Parish OLLH Building Fund or The Harbor Beach VFW Post #9344. Memories can be shared at www.ramseyfh.com