Obituary of Thomas Gerhardt

Thomas "Tom" Michael Gerhardt was born July 23, 1958 in Monroe. He was one of six children born from the union of the late Charles Gerhardt and Audrey (Iott) Gerhardt. Tom attended Monroe Catholic Central for three years and graduated from Monroe High School in 1977. Tom was a hard worker and supported his family as a Production Worker at Chrysler Toledo North Assembly Plant and was a member of the United Auto Workers, Local 723. He received his spiritual nourishment at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monroe and watching Joel Osteen. Tom lived life to the fullest. He appreciated the outdoors, camping and deer hunting. Tom was quite adventurous; he enjoyed his many travels in the United States and the Caribbean Islands. Because of his love of bluegrass music, Tom could be found at the KC Campground attending the Annual Milan Bluegrass Festival and as an avid sports fan, Tom enjoyed watching his favorite Detroit teams on television. Family was most important to Tom. He looked forward to family events where he could "grill out" preparing his favorite concoctions. Thomas "Tom" Michael Gerhardt, age 57, passed away at 9:04pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. His father, Charles Gerhardt, his brother, Kenneth Gerhardt, and his sister, Nancy Gerhardt, preceded his passing. To cherish his memory he leaves his wife of twenty eight years, Julie Gerhardt of Monroe; his mother: Audrey Gerhardt of Grosse Ile; one daughter: Nicole Gerhardt (Andrew Blair) of Toledo; two sisters: Joyce (Brent) Roebke of Orlando, Florida; three brothers: Robert "Bob" Gerhardt of Riverview, and Jerry (Kim) Gerhardt of Lincoln Park; sister-in-law, Bernetta Gerhardt of Grosse Ile; best friend, Ira "Nutt" Berry; and two four-legged companions, Coco and Raven. Family may gather from 10:00am until 11:00am and friends may gather from 11:00am until 2:00pm on July 5, 2016 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe, 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe (734) 241-7070. A procession will follow to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where a Mass of the Resurrection will take place at 2:30pm. Memorial donations are suggested to the Humane Society of Monroe and Kellogg Eye Center at University of Michigan. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.