Michael "Mike" L. Gerber Jr.

Michael L. “Mike” Gerber Jr, 79, of Huron, passed away Monday, January 23, 2023 at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky.

Mike was born in Tiffin, OH to Michael L. and Ruth (Swope) Gerber Sr. on May 26th, 1943.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Iallonardo) Gerber; daughters, Mary and Angela; his dog pal, Joe (Mary); brother, John (Julie) Gerber of Ypsilanti, MI; sister, Deborah (Brian) Lindsley of Saline, MI; aunt, June Swope of Tiffin; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Michael C. Gerber; sister, Carol; brother, Albert Gerber; brothers-in-law, Myron Ruffing and Larry Stout; and sister-in-law, Lucy Stout. 

He graduated from Sandusky High School in 1962. He then served in the US Navy on destroyer USS Black “Devil’s Number” DD-666 in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1968.

He married Rosemary on May 15, 1976, wearing shoes that read “Help Me” on the bottom and they left St. Peter Catholic Church in their 1928 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan they restored together while dating.  This year they would have been married for what Mike described as 47 LOOONNNG HARRRRRRD YEARS. Rose says he never had it so good. Mike was infamous for his jokes, general good-natured harassment of others, and had never met a stranger.

Mike completed his Tool & Die apprenticeship at Universal Clay Products and worked at Chrysler Plastics and Ford Motor Company.  He retired from Ford in 2005 and restored a 1929 Ford Model A Sport Coupe.

He was a life member of VFW 2529 and the Amvets. He also belonged to the American Legion and Huron Eagles. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Huron, OH and was a regular at The Donut Shop.

He enjoyed golfing at Sleepy Hollow with the Ford League and at Sawmill Creek. He was an avid car guy and was a member of Car Coddlers of Ohio and the Model A Restorers Club (MARC) of America. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix.

Friends may call at Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, 410 Main St., Huron 44839 on Friday, January 27th from 5-8 PM.  A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, 430 Main St., Huron 44839 on Saturday, January 28th at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Scott Cemetery, Huron Avery Rd., Huron. 

Donations can be made in Mike’s name to the Car Coddlers of Ohio Scholarship fund c/o 1195 Milliman Rd, Norwalk, OH 44857, St. Peter Catholic Church, or Sandusky Education Foundation, 135 E Washington Row, Sandusky 44870.

Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

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