Obituary of Kenneth John Gelhaus KENNETH JOHN GELHAUS The Tidewater News - 09-04-2005 COURTLAND - Kenneth John Gelhaus died peacefully Sept. 1 in Southampton Memorial Hospital. Born in Oakland, Calif., Sept. 4, 1929, he was a son of the late John Frank and Esther Huber Gelhaus and retired from Hercules Inc. with 38 years of service. He was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree. He also enjoyed attending Hunterdale United Church of Christ. During World War II, after graduating from high school, he joined the Merchant Marines. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He served his country with honor and dignity. He was a member of American Legion Post 73 for many years, the Woodmen of the World and was in avid ham radio operator. Following retirement, he stayed busy with civic-minded duties such as Habitat for Humanity. He helped build the grist mill for Southampton Agriculture and Forestry Museum with Edward Lee Johnson and was a member of the Southgate County Historical Society. Surviving include his wife of 56 years, Dorothy B. Gelhaus; three nieces, Sherrie Gelhaus Gongwer and husband Monty, Penny Gelhaus and Debbie Gelhaus; sister-in-law, Bet Johnson and Vivian Kaikas; brother-in-law, Bill Bailey; and Dot's nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, John F. Gelhaus Jr. and Robert Gelhaus; a nephew, John F. Gelhaus III; and his godparents Gabe and Peggy Ticolut. A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m., Sept. 4, in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Dietman Plajer officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Southampton Memorial Park. Friends were to join the family from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 3, at the Funeral Home and other times at the residence, 30127 Country Club Road, Courtland. Memorials may be made to Hunterdale United Church of Christ, 741 Hunterdale Road or Hunterdale Volunteer Fire and Rescue, c/o Janie Ferguson, 21005 Drake Road, Franklin, Va. 23851 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ––– Narrative Summary of the Obituary ––– Kenneth John Gelhaus, 75, of Courtland died peacefully 1 Sep 2005 in Southampton Memorial Hospital. Born 4 Sep 1929 in Oakland, Calif., he retired from Hercules Inc. after 38 years and was active in church, military, and civic service. A funeral was conducted at 3 p.m. 4 Sep 2005 in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Dietman Plajer officiating. Burial with military honors followed in Southampton Memorial Park. ––– Transcript ––– KENNETH JOHN GELHAUS COURTLAND - Kenneth John Gelhaus died peacefully Sept. 1 [1 Sep 2005] in Southampton Memorial Hospital. Born in Oakland, Calif., Sept. 4, 1929 [4 Sep 1929], he was a son of the late John Frank and Esther Huber Gelhaus and retired from Hercules Inc. with 38 years of service. He was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree. He also enjoyed attending Hunterdale United Church of Christ. During World War II, after graduating from high school, he joined the Merchant Marines. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He served his country with honor and dignity. He was a member of American Legion Post 73 for many years, the Woodmen of the World and was an avid ham radio operator. Following retirement, he stayed busy with civic-minded duties such as Habitat for Humanity. He helped build the grist mill for Southampton Agriculture and Forestry Museum with Edward Lee Johnson and was a member of the Southampton County Historical Society. Surviving include his wife of 56 years, Dorothy B. Gelhaus; three nieces, Sherrie Gelhaus Gongwer and husband Monty, Penny Gelhaus and Debbie Gelhaus; sisters-in-law, Bet Johnson and Vivian Kaikas; brother-in-law, Bill Bailey; and Dot's nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, John F. Gelhaus Jr. and Robert Gelhaus; a nephew, John F. Gelhaus III; and his godparents Gabe and Peggy Ticolut. A funeral was conducted at 3 p.m., Sept. 4 [4 Sep 2005], in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Dietman Plajer officiating. Burial, with military honors, followed in Southampton Memorial Park. Friends were to join the family from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 3 [3 Sep 2005], at the funeral home and other times at the residence, 30127 Country Club Road, Courtland. Memorials may be made to Hunterdale United Church of Christ, 741 Hunterdale Road or Hunterdale Volunteer Fire and Rescue, c/o Janie Ferguson, 21005 Drake Road, Franklin, Va. 23851. ––– Vital Statistics ––– |---------------------------------------------------| | Field | Value | |-------|-------------------------------------------| | Name | Kenneth John Gelhaus | | Age | 75 | | Birth | 4 Sep 1929; Oakland, Calif. | | Death | 1 Sep 2005; Southampton Memorial Hospital | |---------------------------------------------------| ––– Table of Relationships ––– |-------------------------------------------------------------------| | Name | Relationship | Residence | |--------------------------|----------------------------|-----------| | Kenneth John Gelhaus | Decedent | Courtland | | Dorothy B. Gelhaus | Wife | Unknown | | John Frank Gelhaus | Father | Unknown | | Esther Huber Gelhaus | Mother | Unknown | | Sherrie Gelhaus Gongwer | Niece | Unknown | | Monty Gongwer | Husband of niece | Unknown | | Penny Gelhaus | Niece | Unknown | | Debbie Gelhaus | Niece | Unknown | | Bet Johnson | Sister-in-law | Unknown | | Vivian Kaikas | Sister-in-law | Unknown | | Bill Bailey | Brother-in-law | Unknown | | John F. Gelhaus Jr. | Brother, predeceased | Unknown | | Robert Gelhaus | Brother, predeceased | Unknown | | John F. Gelhaus III | Nephew, predeceased | Unknown | | Gabe Ticolut | Godparent, predeceased | Unknown | | Peggy Ticolut | Godparent, predeceased | Unknown | | Edward Lee Johnson | Associate | Unknown | | Dot's nieces and nephews | Nieces and nephews of wife | Unknown | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| ––– Publication Details ––– |-------------------------------| | Field | Value | |----------|--------------------| | Location | Unknown | | Name | The Tidewater News | | Date | 4 Sep 2005 | |-------------------------------| ––– Other Relevant Information ––– • Retired from Hercules Inc. with 38 years of service. • Member of St. Jude's Catholic Church. • Member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree. • Also attended Hunterdale United Church of Christ. • Served in the Merchant Marines after graduating from high school. • Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. • Member of American Legion Post 73 for many years. • Member of the Woodmen of the World. • Was an avid ham radio operator. • Worked with Habitat for Humanity. • Helped build the grist mill for Southampton Agriculture and Forestry Museum with Edward Lee Johnson. • Member of the Southampton County Historical Society. [See also: www.findagrave.com/memorial/12165944/kenneth-john-gelhaus www.findagrave.com/memorial/178115166/dorothy_b-gelhaus (spouse) http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/somempk.txt www.findagrave.com/cemetery/52227/southampton-memorial-park ] [Contributed by Bruce Saunders, bs4403@verizon.net Formattinng and references by the Southampton Transcription Project] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may have contributed to the creation of this text. Please verify critical information, as AI-generated content can include errors.] [This file is https://go-stp.com/BruceObituaries/ShowText.html?Gelhaus, Kenneth John.txt]