Henry "Hank" D. Gerken

Henry D. "Hank" Gerken, age 94 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Kingsbury Place in Defiance.   
  
He was born on December 21, 1931 to the late Frank and Catherine (Damman) Gerken in Fulton County, Ohio. Henry was a 1950 graduate of Napoleon High School. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War era. On June 4, 1958 he married Joan Nicely who preceded him in death on July 24, 2020.   

He was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church and served on various committees. Henry enjoyed helping his father on the farm in his younger days. He worked as a meat cutter at Kroger for many years until his retirement. He served on the Tinora School Board for over 20 years and was President for several years. He loved traveling with his wife and spending the winter months in their second home in Florida. Hank will be sadly missed by many. 
 
Henry is survived by many nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews, especially Douglas (Barbara) Gerken, Mike (Tonya) Fifer, and Georgeana (Craig) Boston, whom he often thought of as his own children.
  
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Gerken, sisters, Sedona (Jack) Williams, Marie (Leonard) Bahler, Dorothy (Pete) Drewes, and Katherine (Denver) Alexander, and his brothers, Fred (Helen) Gerken, Frank (Lois) Gerken, and Martin (Marylyn "Billy") Gerken.
  
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at St. John Lutheran Church in Defiance. A funeral service will immediately follow at 11:30 am at the church, with Pastor Kurt Mews officiating. Henry will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, with graveside Military Honors conducted by VFW #3360.

Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.
  
Memorials are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church or Tinora Music Boosters. 

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