Leonard Sylvester Gerardot, 87 years old of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, passed away at 2:15 p.m Sunday at his home surrounded by his family. Leonard was a former Monroeville, Indiana resident. Leonard was born on Tuesday, September 19, 1922 in Woodburn, Indiana the son of the late Charles Gerardot and the late Ellen (Cayot) Gerardot. He married the late Aleta R. Singer on February 5, 1946 in San Diego, California and she passed away on June 10, 2008. They had been married over 62 years. Leonard was a graduate of Woodburn High School Class of 1940. He was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Leonard enjoyed woodworking, growing flowers, and spending time with his family. Leonard retired from B.F. Goodrich in 1987 as a machinist after 25 years of service. Leonard served his country during World War II in the United States Navy aboard the USS Balduck, serving 3 years 3 months 3 days as a metalsmith. Surviving are his daughter, Jeanne M. (Ron) Koch of Harlan, Indiana; daughter, Lois A. (Neil) Ternet of Monroeville, Indiana; daughter, Joyce L. (Steve) Seward of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Jill B. (Darryl) Averyhart of Columbia, South Carolina; daughter, Mary E. Gerardot of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; son, Ernest E. Gerardot of Carmel, Indiana; daughter, Jane G. (Dave) Ward of Kendallville, Indiana; daughter, Lisa K. (Rob) Sefranek of Montgomery, Illinois; son, Mark C. (Jennair) Gerardot of Carmel, Indiana; son, Barry A. (Jana) Gerardot of Leo, Indiana; twenty grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren. Preceding Leonard in death were one daughter, Nora L. Orr; one grandson, Jakob Johnson; four brothers, Francis, Julian, Clarence, and Ralph F. Gerardot Sr; six sisters, Anna Bowers, Bernadette Huguenard, Marcella Spieth, Agnes Spieth, Rose Spieth, and Isabelle Henry. . A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 3, 2009 in the St. Charles Catholic Church with Father Jim Kumbakkeel officiating. Interment will follow in the Catholic Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2009 in the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel, Monroeville, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Preferred memorials are to Friends of St. Joseph Schoool Monroeville; or Parkview Home Health and Hospice.
