Arlene Gertrude Gerber

Arlene Gertrude Gerber (nee Yates), 90, of Avon Lake, died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 in EMH Regional Medical Center. She was born May 6, 1918 in North Olmsted and was a lifelong resident of Lorain County. She pursued an education at Bowling Green State University where she graduated and received a teaching degree. She taught 2 years in Berlin Heights, and at Lakeview School for 25 years as a third grade teacher. She was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1972 by the Jaycees. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Lorain (now Cornerstone of Elyria) where she was a Sunday School teacher and Lay Leader, a 50 year member and past matron of the Wakeman Chapter # 46 Order of Eastern Star, charter member and past officer of the Order of White Shrine of Jerusalem, a charter member and officer of Faith Followers of Helen Steiner, the Lorain Education Association of Retired Teachers Organization, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Lorain Family YMCA, the United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church, past president and coodinator of Rebekah Circle, a 50 year member of the Florence Grange, and past president of Wimodaughsis. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren and loved to dance with her husband, "Fritz" to big band music. Survivors include her son, Barry (Norma) Gerber of Port Charlotte, FL; her daughter, Sharon (David) Herzer of Vermilion; grandchildren, Kimberly Shepheard, Leslie Schwartz, Lori O'Hara, David Herzer Jr., Marne Herzer Roehrich; great grandchildren, Meredith Schwartz, Hanna Schwartz, Stefan Schwartz, Josh Schwartz, Thomas O'Hara Jr., and Willow Herzer-Roehrich; sisters, Thelma Sprunk, Avon Lake and Doris "Tootie" German of Birmingham; sister-in-law, June Yates; brother-in-law Robert Wadsworth of Sarasota, FL, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband, Fredrick R. Gerber, her parents, Charles and Ella Mae (nee Shephard) Yates; 5 sisters, Emma Kenyon, Dolores Green, Joanne Wadsworth, Cora Watkins, and Myrtle Burrows and 2 brothers, Charles J. Yates and Frank Yates. Friends may call Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. The Eastern Star Althea Chapter #438 of Monroeville will conduct a service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Riddle Funeral Home, Tuesday Oct. 7, 2008, at 10 a.m. The Reverend Dale Warrick, pastor of the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the Cornerstone First United Methodist Church, 2949 West River Road North, Elyria, Ohio 44035, the American Heart Association Northwest Ohio Chapter, 1689 East 115 Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-3988 or the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.