Gearhart to be honored at CHP event

VW independent/submitted information

Community Health Professionals presents its 18th annual Hospice “Beacon of Hope” dinner/auction on Thursday, April 28, starting at 6 p.m., at Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert.

The event features a meal, live and silent auction items — with auctioneer, Bob Gamble — laughter and fun with emcee Rick Small of Mix 98.1 FM, recognition of two local businesses, and a mystery treasure chest drawing.

The family of the late Mike Gearhart of Van Wert will present the Beacon of Hope lighthouse in memory of past hospice patients.

Gearhart was the owner and a funeral director at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert who retired after 40 years of service. He passed on February 3 at Community Health Professionals’ Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

Gearhart was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, where he had served on many committees. He was president of the Van Wert County Foundation Board of Trustees, and a member of the Van Wert Federal Savings Bank Board of Directors, Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, and the Van Wert Cougar Booster Club.

He was a two-time past president of the former Van Wert Kiwanis Club, a former Van Wert Pony League coach, and an avid New York Yankees fan, spending the last 14 years in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, Janet, for the Yankees’ spring training camp.

He loved supporting his sons and grandkids in all of their activities and he took great pride in supporting and serving the Van Wert community, and was humbled by the support his community has, in turn, shown him.

The Gearhart lighthouse will be displayed at the hospice center, along with those from previous years. The lighthouse symbolizes hope, comfort and support provided by hospice when a loved one is facing a life-limiting illness.

Local businesses Cooper Farms, Slusher’s Jewelry, and TAG Menswear will be recognized as “Friends of Hospice” for their continued support of the CHP Hospice program and its events.

Live and silent auction items include tickets to sporting events, gift baskets, dining and overnight stays, OSU memorabilia, a wood-pellet grill, certificates to local and regional businesses, and much more.

A mystery treasure chest drawing for over $500 worth of prizes will also be held, with 400 key tickets to be sold for $5 each. The winning “key” to open the treasure chest will be drawn during the event. A total of 150 presale key tickets will be sold from April 25 to April 28.

Dinner tickets are $20 each and seating is limited. Call 419.238.9223 to order by April 22. Tickets are available at Community Health Professionals, 1159 Westwood Drive in Van Wert.