Lawrence A. Gehret, age 87, of Fort Loramie, Ohio, passed away of natural causes at his residence early Thursday morning, February 25, 2016.

He was born March 18, 1928, in Yorkshire, Ohio, to the late Joseph and Anna (Mueller) Gehret. On October 2, 1954, at St. Henry Catholic Church in St. Henry, Lawrence married Frances (Lange) Gehret who survives along with their family; Bro. Mark Gehret O.F.M. of New Orleans, LA, James & Susan Gehret of Maria Stein, Kenneth Gehret of Sidney, Douglas (Dec.) & Sandy Gehret of Fort Loramie, Laura & Eugene Schulze of Sidney, Louis & Karen Gehret of Fort Loramie, and Alice & Keith Rindler of St. Henry; twenty-one grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren; nine siblings: Mildred Bensman of Versailles, Alfred & Rose Gehret of McCartyville, Paul & Bernice Gehret of North Star, Urban & Irene Gehret of Frenchtown, Emma Rita & Dennis Heitkamp of New Bremen, Edward & Mary Lee Gehret of Willowdell, Anthony & Madonna Gehret of Versailles, Cyril & Margie Gehret of Osgood, and Mary Ann & John Kuether of Egypt; sisters & brothers-in-law: Mary Ann & Louis Grieshop and Eva Gehret all of Willowdell.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Vernon and Joseph Gehret and a brother-in-law, Virgil Bensman.

Lawrence was a U.S. Army veteran having served active duty in Korea. He obtained the Combat Infantry Badge and had also received the Presidential Unit Citation for earning two Bronze Stars.

In 1990, Mr. Gehret retired from the Minster Machine Co. where he had been employed 46 years. He was also retired from farming since 1984. Lawrence was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and over the years, had been a lecturer, taught CCD, and served on Parish Council. He was a Noble Degree member of the Knights of Saint John Commandery 300 and had also been a member of the Holy Angels Prayer Group since 1979.

He was a member of the Fort Loramie American Legion, Sidney VFW, Minster Fraternal Order of Eagles, Minster Machine 25 year club, and the Fort Loramie Community Service Club. He had been a past member of the Western Ohio Chapter Korean War Veterans and the Shelby County Woodcarvers Guild. In his leisure, Lawrence enjoyed woodcarving and had also been a volunteer adult English tutor at the Upper Valley Career Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie with celebrants, Fr. Steven Shoup and Fr. Dennis Bosse O.F.M. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion.

Friends may call Tuesday 2:00 to 8:00 PM and Wednesday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to the St. Michael Church Building Fund, Wilson Hospice Care or Franciscan Missions.

Condolences may be expressed at www.gehretfuneralhome.com.