John A. Gephart Sr., 80, 3495 Elm St., Newport, died at 11:40 a.m. April 2, 2007, at Versailles Health Care Center.

He was born April 9, 1926, in Minster, to Frank and Ruth DeLaet Gephart. In 1948, he married Mary Demange, who died in 1973. He then married Emily Monnier in 1977, who survives.

Suriving are two sons, John A. Jr. (Starr) and Jerrold (Linda), all of Newport; a sister, Joyce (Francis) Goubeaux, Russia; a brother-in-law, Bernard Selanders, Houston; three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a sister, Jean Selanders.

He retired from Frantz Brothers Construction as a crane and heavy equipment operator for 32 years and was a U.S. Army veteran in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the Sportsman Club, both of Newport, Fraternal Order of Eagles 1391, Minster, Catholic War Veterans, Russia, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, Sidney.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, the Rev. Steven Shoup officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Contributions can be made to Fort Loramie Rescue Squad or the church.