Wayne E. Gerber, 89, of Jackson Center, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday morning, May 11, 2018 at his home.

He was born in Jackson Center on September 27, 1928 to the late Walter E. and Alda Christine (Ludwig) Gerber. Wayne married Ruth Ann Kerns on November 12, 1953 and she preceded him in death on August 9, 2014.

He was also preceded in death by a sister Doris Allenbaugh.

A graduate of Jackson Center High School, Wayne served with the US Army in Alaska during the Korean War. He was a lifelong dairy farmer and a member of the Soil and Water Conservation where he served as District Supervisor for 24 years and was recognized in 2010 for the Supervisor's Hall of Fame.

Wayne was also a member of the Farm Bureau and a 56 year member of the Jackson Center American Legion. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Wayne was a past Deacon, Elder, and member of the Lutheran Brotherhood Mens Group. He enjoyed woodworking, and over the years made more than 48,000 crosses that can be found all over the world.

Wayne is survived by his children: Jill (Rudy) Ruppert of Jackson Center, Tim Gerber of Jackson Center, and Kay (Phil) Schumann of Celina, and Jukka Kaijalainen – a foreign exchange student from Helsinki, Finland; nine grandchildren: Christina (Brandt) Mann, Heather (Zac) Barhorst, Shawn Smith, Holly (Jeremy) Bowersock, Erica (Wes) Jackson, Nicole (David) Neubauer, Stephanie (Justin) Waples, Kinsey (Nick) Stelzer, and Chad (fiancée Abby Kotarski) Schumann; 14 great-grandchildren: Haley, Caitlyn, and Ethan Barhorst, Alaina and Courtney Mann, Jonathon and Holden Bowersock, Samantha, Madison, and Elijah Neubauer, Reagan and Elias Jackson, and Wyatt and Austin Waples; a sister Joan (Jerry) Seiler of Illinois; several nieces and nephews; special friends Stewart Calvert and Herschel Knoop; and his beloved dog Reggie.

Friends may call at the Grace Lutheran Church, 607 S. Main St. Jackson Center, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 from 3-7 pm, and on Wednesday, May 16 from 10-11 am.

Pastor Rev. Dr. Cathi Braasch will officiate the funeral service on Wednesday, May 16 at 11 am. Burial will follow in Pearl Cemetery, Swanders, with military honors provided by the Jackson Center American Legion.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 607 S. Main St. Jackson Center, OH 45334, or to Gideon's International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Jackson Center, and online condolences may be expressed at www.edsfh.com.