John David Gerth

John David Gerth, 68, of Clinton, passed away on June 18, 2022.

John was born on May 20, 1954, to John C. and Wilma Gerth in Indianapolis, Indiana.  John was a 3rd generation farmer.  In addition to farming, John also enjoyed a lengthy career as a senior electrician with Eli Lilly and Company.  While at Eli Lilly, John also served as a 1st responder for emergencies.

A man of many interests and talents, John also devoted much of his free time to his two favorite things, aviation and auto racing. These interests inspired John to obtain his pilot’s license.  He then went on to become an instructor, and he mentored and trained countless young pilots to fly.  He served as the president of the American Waco Club and as a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), where he served as a judge for the vintage airplane competition.  John’s love of auto racing started in his youth, where he competed in Road America races.  That early love grew, and in 2019, he was able to drive one of his dream cars, a Shelby GT 500. 

John was preceded in death by his mother and father as well as his sister, Georganna Crook.  He is survived by his wife, Karen, as well as his son, Christopher (Kari)Gerth of Lewis, Indiana.  He is also survived by two daughters, Courtney (Mike)Vercauteren of Johnston, Iowa, and Meagan (Marcus)Granger of West Lafayette, Indiana.  John is also survived by three grandsons, Wyatt Gerth of Lewis, Indiana and Cooper and Spencer Vercauteren of Johnston, Iowa as well as a granddaughter, Makiyah Granger of West Lafayette, Indiana.  He has one surviving sibling, Marjorie Kuehn of Brownsburg, Indiana as well as several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Giovanini Funeral Home on June 30th from 1-3 PM.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in his honor in lieu of flowers, to the Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of the Wabash Valley.

Online condolences can be made at www.giovaninifuneralhome.com.   

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