DODGE CITY, KANSAS - Richard Michael Gerber Sr. died at the age of 104 at The Ranch Senior Living Center in Garden City, Kansas on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

He was born March 15, 1920 at the family home near Waterloo, Kansas the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Huelskamp) Gerber.  He was the third child of eight.  At the age of nine Richard moved with his family to a farm in rural Garden City.   After completing the 8th grade, he continued working on the family farm.  In 1935 the family moved to Dodge City and he worked various jobs.  Then in 1941 he moved to Burbank, California where after the December 1941 attack on Pearl Habor he enlisted in the Navy, assigned to the crew of the U.S.S. Mount Vernon, a troop transport ship.  In January 1946 he was honorably discharged from the Navy and returned to Dodge City and was employed at Dr. Pepper bottling plant.

Richard married Helen Irsik on May 1, 1948, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dodge City.  They purchased Rixon Oil Company in Charleston, Kansas in April 1959 which continues this day to be Gerber Oil.  Retired and returned to Dodge City in 1982.  Shortly after they purchased a motor home and traveled throughout the US and Canada.  Retirement was filled with playing cards, (pitch and bridge), delivering meals on wheels, volunteering at church and enjoying family time.

He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Knights of Columbus Council #2955 both in Dodge City.

Survivors include: 3 daughters, Junilla Collard, Parker, Texas, Cheryl and George Hicks, Dodge City, Patty and Mark Dunkle, Dodge City, 2 sons Richard Jr. and Darinda, Garden City, Brent & Marla Gerber, Charleston, 17 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren, one sister, Doris Goff, Shawnee, Kansas, brother-in-law, Larry Irsik, Austin, Texas and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Helen, his parents and 2 brothers, Marvin Gerber and Robert Gerber, 4 sisters, Mabel Thesing, Joan Schwarz, Mary Lee Schneweis and Jeanette Gerber, son-in-law, Joe Collard.

Vigil service followed by Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00 pm Tuesday, June 4, 2024 both at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City, with Fr. Wesley Schawe presiding.  The Mass will be livestreamed on the Cathedral's Facebook page. Burial will follow in Greencrest Memorial Gardens, Dodge City, with full military honors by Southwest Kansas Veterans Funeral Honor Guard and the United States Navy.  Visitation will be Tuesday from noon to 7:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Catholic Charities or Preparing a Place (building fund for new Catholic school) both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.zieglerfuneralchapel.com