Obituaries

September 9, 1926 to February 24, 2023

FRANCESVILLE - Dr. Rev. James H. Gabhart, 96, of Francesville (formerly of Winamac), passed away Friday, Feb. 24. He was a retired Christian minister with 58 years of service.

He was born Sept. 9, 1926 in Akron, OH to the late Arthur L. and Della V. (Turofske) Gabhart. He served 10 years in the U. S. Armed Forces being an enlisted paratrooper in Gen.l Eisenhower’s honor guard, 508 th PIR, at Frankfort, Germany and an Air Force electronics-armament officer in SAC at various stations. Pastor Gabhart was honored to receive a Quilt of Valor. He married Esther Joan Vanderley on July 11, 1953 in Akron, OH. She passed away March 16, 2019.

Dr. Rev. James Gabhart

He is survived by:
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
24 Great-Grandchildren
Several Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
2 Brothers and 1 Sister

Pastor Gabhart was educated at the University of Akron in Ohio, Grace Theological Seminary at Winona Lake and Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, FL. He held a Doctor of Ministry Degree, Master of Theology Degree, and a Master of Divinity Degree. Pastor Gabhart served churches in Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Mississippi. He was an officer in several ministerial organizations. After retirement in 1991, he supplied pulpits in 43 area churches, did nine interims for pastorless churches, and worked in fabrics at Winamac G.L. Perry for three and a half years. He also served as a volunteer chaplain at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. He was a regular book reviewer for the Baptist Bulletin and The Grace Journal. He enjoyed gardening, walking, and stamp collecting. Pastor Gabhart loved to share the Gospel with others. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 7, at Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 8, at the funeral home with Pastor Bill McNabney and AJ Myers officiating. Burial be at Winamac Cemetery in Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial donations may be made to Gideon’s International.

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