Obituaries

November 9, 1932 to March 16, 2019

WINAMAC - Esther Joan Gabhart, 86, of Winamac, passed away Saturday, March 16, at her home.

She was born Nov. 9, 1932 in Grandville, MI to the late Rev. Renus and Alida VanAsselt VanDerLey. She graduated from Gulfport High School in Gulfport, MS and received training at Midwest Bible and Missionary Institute in St. Louis, MO. On July 11, 1953 in Akron, OH, she married Lt. James H. Gabhart.

She is survived by: 
Dr. James H. Gabhart, Winamac, Husband 
Patty Hansen, Albuquerque, NM, Daughter 
James H. (Lorri) Gabhart II, Sun City, AZ, Son 
Della (Dave) Myers, Francesville, Daughter 
Alida (Roger) Mays, Delphi, Daughter 
15 Grandchildren 
23 Great Grandchildren 
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by: 
Chris Hansen, Son-in-law 
Ray VanDerLey, Brother 
Ruth Reed, Sister 
Paul VanDerLey, Brother 

Mrs. Gabhart assisted her husband in various parts of the local ministry and religious activities in the U.S. Air Force and in the churches which he pastored for over 60 years. She also served two years as chairman of the GARBC - IFRBC Ladies (which consisted of 126 churches in Indiana). She worked as a supervisor at G.L. Perry in Winamac for five-and-a-half years and as a deli clerk at Sanders IGA in Winamac for seven-and-a-half years. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 21, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. Private burial will be at Winamac Cemetery, Winamac.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial donations may be made to the Baptist Children's Home in Valparaiso.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.