Kenneth Gerdes Family

Kenneth Gerdes, youngest son of Peter and Dena (Good) Gerdes, was born March 30, 1924 in Damascus Township, Henry County. His father, Peter, was the second son of George and Catherine (Johnston) Gerdes. Peter died in July of 1952 and Dena died in February of 1950. Three children blessed this marriage; one daughter and two sons: Thelma, Harold and Kenneth.

Peter Gerdes, the father, was born July 29, 1897 and married Dena Marie Good August 14, 1918.

Thelma Marie, born June 17, 1919, married Charles M. Slamka of Middletown, Ohio, where they now live and have raised eight children; seven sons and one daughter. Charles, Jr., Dec. 14, 1948; Douglas Michael, August 22, 1950; Gregory Peter, May 29, 1954; Matthew Leigh, October 8, 1956; Dennis Eugene, March 10, 1958; Amy Jo, June 29, 1959; Mark Stephen, August30, 1961; and Gery Lynn Joseph, September 21, 1963. The four oldest boys are married. Thelma has one grandson, Matthew Leigh, Jr., born February 13, 1978.

Harold Emerson, born July 3, 1921, married Wilma Altwies. One child was born, Jean Marie, August 31, 1944. Harold lost his life in the service to his country on November 29, 1944, in Germany. (W.W. II) He was buried in the Margraten Cemetery in Holland and later returned to his homeland to be buried in the Hockman cemetery northeast of McClure, Ohio. He was given full military honors by the McClure American Legion Post 4332. His daughter, Jean, married Robert Armitage January 18, 1964. They have two children, Brian Glen, August 12, 1965 and Dawn Marie, April 20, 1968. Kenneth Irving, born March 30, 1924; married Esther Marguerite Wade (born January 20, 1925) on January 24, 1943. Four children were born:

William Harold; born May 10, 1947 and died May 12, 1947 with burial in Hockman cemetery, McClure, Ohio.

Patricia Louise, born March 28, 1949, married James L. Ford on October 5, 1968. They have a daughter, Milissa Ann, born October 14, 1969 and a son, James Patrick, born June 26, 1977.

Donald George, born May 13, 1951, married Judith Rae Yevtich on August 23, 1968. They have a son, Christopher Jon, born April 7, 1969 and a daughter, Danielle Johanna, born July 6, 1974. Donald was the only child born in Henry County.

Beverly Lynn was born February 6, 1954. She attended Bowling Green State University and is presently attending the University of Toledo; graduating in August of 1978 from the College of Arts and Science.

Kenneth, his sister and brother attended and graduated from Grand Rapids High School, Grand Rapids, Ohio.

In March of 1943, Kenneth was drafted into the U.S. Army where he spent three years. During this time he was stationed in Skagway, Alaska and Calcutta, India with the 508th Port Batallion and was in the 286th Port Company of the Transportation Corps. After the war, Kenneth returned home to Henry County to farm with his father. After the death of Kenneth's parents, the Gerdes family moved from Henry

County to Delta, Ohio in Fulton County in May of 1951. In February of 1951 Kenneth was employed by Champion Spark Plug Company; his present place of employment.

The Gerdes's are members of the Delta United Methodist Church, the American Legion, Masons, Eastern Star, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Garden Club and help in various community projects.

Kenneth's closest relative living in Henry County is Charles F. Gerdes, born February 13, 1895.

Charles is the oldest son of George and Catherine (Johnston) Gerdes, and brother of Kenneth's father, Peter Gerdes. "Uncle Charley" still lives on the family farm in rural McClure, Ohio. While the Gerdes's are transplanted Fulton Countians, they have personal ties and friends they have kept in close contact with throughout the years in Henry County.

Dena Marie Good, born September 24, 1898, was the only daughter of Hemp and Lydia (Wenig) Good. The Good family lived on a farm near Grelton, Ohio. The farm is presently owned by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Howe. Dena lost her mother, by death, at an early age and looked after her father until his marriage to Kate Weimer. Dena completed high school and later married Peter Gerdes of McClure on August 14, 1918. Three children were born of this union: Thelma Marie, Harold Emerson and Kenneth Irving. Dena died in February of 1950. Her husband, Peter, died in July of 1952. Both are buried in Hockman Cemetery, McClure, Ohio.

The Good's had an older son, Chester J., born November 27, 1895. He and his wife, Edith, had four children: Eugene, Charles, Treva and Joan. The sons are deceased. Chester was a plumbing and heating contractor. The Good's lived in the Napoleon area and later moved to Grand Rapids, Ohio. Chester died August 9, 1970, with burial at Shunk Cemetery in Henry County. His wife, Edith, remains in the family home.