Willard E. Gehron, age 82, of North Star, passed away on Monday, October 19, 2020, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

Willie was born February 27, 1938, in Darke County, to the late Daniel & Anna (Gause) Gehron.

On December 27, 1959, he married Karen Hoverman, who survives along with their four children: Michael (Christine) Gehron, Vandalia, Christie (William J.) Rindler, North Star, Deborah Stewart, Rossburg, and Annette Shroyer, Willshire, sisters: Corda Leeper, North Star, and Margaret Miles, Greenville, sister-in-law, Sharon (Farrel) Krall, Willshire, eleven grandchildren: Kelli Simpkins, Jacksonville, FL, Stacie (Dustin) Cornwell, Dayton, Nicole (Carlton) Maughan, San Antonio, TX, Beth Stewart, Rossburg, William Rindler, Troy, Mindy (Andy) Ooten, West Carrollton, Danielle Gehron, Columbia City, IN, Faith Shroyer, Van Wert, Chad Rindler, North Star, Willard Shroyer, Willshire, and Hope (Clint) Morgan, San Diego, CA, and five great-grandchildren: Dillon & Spencer Cornwell, Emma & Jackson Ooten, and Bennett Maughan.

Preceding him in death were a sister: Berniece (Lewis) Rhoades, brother: Melvin (Marie) Gehron, brothers-in-law: Tom Miles and Minor Leeper, son-in-law: Jack Stewart, and his parents-in-law: Merl & Irene Hoverman.

A 1957 graduate of Versailles High School, Willie served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958-1964. While on active duty, he was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kansas, as an aircraft refueling specialist. Willie retired in 2000 from Midmark Corp. in Versailles, where he worked as a welder and maintenance man. He served for many years as a volunteer fireman, retiring from the North Star Community Fire Department.

He attended the Greenville Missionary Church and had been a member of the former North Star Congregational Christian Church. Willie was an all-around handyman, and enjoyed woodworking, camping, and gardening.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 3, at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Celina, with Reverend Gary Oser officiating. Burial will follow at Willshire Cemetery.

Calling Hours are 3-7:00 p.m., Monday, November 2, and an hour prior to services on Tuesday, November 3, at the funeral home. Those attending are required to wear masks, practice social distancing as much as possible, and follow the COVID-19 guidelines established by Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Greenville Missionary Church, 1110 N. Broadway, Greenville, 45331.

Condolences can be expressed to the Gehron family at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.