Miriam Gerhard

Miriam Gerhard age 79 of Henderson, NE died Monday March 9, 2009 at Fairmont, NE. She was born January 9, 1930 at Weatherly, PA to Ernest and Ruth (McCauliffe) Richie. On August 27, 1955 she was married to Phillip Gerhard at Weatherly, PA. Along with her husband, Miriam worked on the family’s dairy farm at Punxsutawney, PA until they retired from farming in 1975. She was a member of the Women of the Church of God, enjoyed cooking, quilting and making art. In 2005 she and her husband moved to rural Henderson to be closer to their daughter. While in Henderson they attended Faith Evangelical Bible Church.

She is survived by her husband Phillip of Henderson, her daughter Beth and her husband Sumner W. Burnham III of Henderson. Her granddaughter Rebecca Shafer and grandson Aaron Phillip Joseph Shafer also of Henderson. Also surviving are her three sisters, Viola Fitzpatrick of Weatherly, PA, Pearl Young of Coudersport, PA and Dorothy Ackerson also of Weatherly, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers, two sisters and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 am Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Faith Evangelical Bible Church in Henderson with the Reverend Michael Fink officiating with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Fairview Manor at Fairmont, NE, The American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Visitation begins after 1:00 pm Thursday at Metz Mortuary in Henderson with her family greeting friends later that evening from 7:00 – 8:30 also at the mortuary.