John Paul Gerhardt, Jr. August 9, 1939 -August 9, 2017
John Paul Gerhardt, Jr. was born August 9, 1939, in Gardiner, MT, to John Paul Gerhardt, Sr. and Mary Kathleen Gerhardt. The family moved to Red Lodge, MT, shortly after his birth and there he lived, attended school and graduated from Red Lodge High School in 1957. Shortly after graduating high school, John enlisted in the Navy and spent 2 years proudly serving his country. After his stint in the Navy, he returned to Red Lodge and started a family. He became the loving father of Connie (Jim) Blonigen, Janean (Tom) Gerhardt-Nielsen, Lani (John) Reeser, Sheryl Edgar, and Mindy Kay Gerhardt. John worked as a meat cutter most of his life and enjoyed all the people he worked with and met doing the job he loved to do. His most recent places of work were Miles City Pack and Reynolds Market in Miles City. John was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed each immensely. He spent many hours and days in the Missouri Breaks area hunting elk and deer with men who meant so much to him and countless hours on the waters of the Fort Peck Reservoir with family and friends, always in pursuit of the biggest walleye ever caught in Montana. He also did his share of prairie dog hunting with his very special neighbor and friend, Hazel Shumaker.
John loved his family with all his heart and was a loving grandfather to Amber (Kody) Knight, Dale John (Kelsey) Bollinger, Joshua Qualls, Amanda (Kasi) Thompson, Shayna (Nick) Christopherson, Ryan (Ashlee) Gerhardt ,Lattyse (Cody) Allen, and step-grandfather to Kete Blonigen and Rhiannon Reeser. He was the great grandfather to Baleigh, Allee, Gunner, Sage, Juniper, Mikenna, Brooke, Harlee, Ripley, and Keely.
A memorial service in John’s honor will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home in Miles City MT.
The family has asked in lieu of flowers, donations in John’s honor can be made to The Meadowlark House 1106 N. 30th Billings, MT59101, Attn: Emily/Meadowlark House. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 15, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Tuesday August 15, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Jan Munroe says
My sister and I went to high school with John, in fact she graduated with him. Imagine my surprise to find him here in Miles City. He was such a hard worker, was such a knowledgable butcher, and a great guy. My condolences to his family.
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
To John’s family,
Our very deepest sympathy on your loss .Enjoyed seeing him at the lake a few weeks ago. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless!
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Cindy Stanton says
Connie, Amber, DJ & all of John’s family,
My words will never be adequate so I’ll keep it simple. John was by far one the very best men I’ve ever met. I admired his fathering skills and immensely enjoyed his sense of humor. He was a hard worker and always a true gentleman. I will miss him and that twinkle in his eye. I’ll never think of LEATHER the same. My condolences to all of you. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Much love, Cindy & family
Jackie stoeckel says
John was my cousin. I am saddened at his passing mostly saddened that family has been out of touch. I reconnected with john when I moved to miles city in the early 90s. We were actually neighbors for a brief time. Mi wish I had seen this information sooner. My condolences to his family. Jackie (gerhardt) stoeckel.
linda walker says
Such a nice man. Rest in Peace.
Kim R Smarsh says
Lani, I believe we went to school in Laurel for a year or two in Junior High. I loved seeing your dad at Reynolds. You could tell he loved what he did and wanted to do it well.
The Hom's says
I worked with John at Reynolds, he was such a nice person and great to work with. It is sad to see he passed away. Prayers and hugs to your family.
John Reeser says
Donations can be made at the following link. https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=810468034&source=FTB&cmpgn=DNT&vlrStratCode=rmxY2CN61EKa5jjJzHyrnyXJ%2bWSSFpUXItOmV8TwxiwCUpI9oSvCirvRmlKnJQT4
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
We are so sorry! John was a one-of-kind, hard-working person with such a kind heart. He put his entire mind and body into doing the best job he could. It was important to John that a customer leave his meat department with a smile on his face. He was always happy to help everyone he could. He even came back to Reynolds to work, after he retired, to help during the holidays. He would leave the store with a huge grin on his face. We will miss seeing him and hearing about the latest fish story! You will all be in our thoughts and prayers. Love all his family at Reynolds
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy
Clifford Gerhardt says
Rest in peace cousin Johnny. My condolences to your family.
John’s father and my Father were brothers, John’s Mother and my Mother were sisters. We spent our childhood as close as brothers.
He will be missed.