Charles E. Gebhardt "Charlie or Chuck"

Born Oct. 11, 1931 –
Died Dec. 25, 2019.

Parents Charles R. and
Rose C. (Norten) Gebhardt lived in River Grove, Franklin Park, Northlake,
Bensenville, West Chicago, Wheaton. And Belvidere, Ill. He graduated from
Leyden High School Franklin Park, 1949 He worked on Indiana Harbor Belt
Railroad. He also played pro-baseball for 1 season. He is a certified graduate
of College of Advanced Traffic. During "slow-time" on railroad he worked as
representative for Seaboard & MKT Railroads. He was recognized for his vast
knowledge of railroading. He spent many years on the IHB RR as switchman,
conductor, yardmaster, from Norpaul yard in Franklin Park, Il. He was a strong
advocate in the United Transportation Union (UTU) of which he was proud to have
served. Shortly after his retirement from the RR of 45 years he found himself
telling Linn how she could do housework more efficiently. Her look in return
convinced him to take up a union request helping Hoey& Farina law firm with
RR injuries. He then did that for over 20 years. He enjoyed what he did, and
Linn's housework continued on efficiently.

In 1950 to 1953 he was
on active duty with the U. S. Army at Camp Gordon, Ga., Fort Benning, Ga.(OCS)
Schooled as a cryptographer (top secret) and went to Korea in July 1950 at the
Naktong Bulge of the Pusan Perimeter Inchon landing, then to North Korea with
31st RCT @ ChosinResevior in Nov. & Dec. 1950. He became 2nd
Lieutenant in South Korea 27thwith Infantry Regt. Returning to U.S.
in July 1951. Served with engineer unit @ Cp. Wolters, TX. And returned to
South Korea July 1952. Working at
airfields K-14 (Kimpo) and K-16 (Seoul) with 811 engineer aviation Bn. Returning
again to U.S. 1953. Completing active duty Dec. 1953. He had earned many medals
including Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Army
Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean
Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation
Medals (3).

In 1970 he married Linnea (Linn) M. Johnson and they had two children John (Christina) and Julie Lynn (David Dyrud) both of Minnesota. He also had 4 grandchildren Amethyst, Joshua, Larrisa, Caleb and 3 great grand children. He is also survived by his sister Marie Garrett, his nephews Chuck (Kathy), Dave (Jeannie),he will be sorely missed.

Charles was a
life-member of the Knights of Columbus-3rd degree Council 735, St.
James, Belvidere…Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, Assembly190,
Rockford, Il….VFW,Life member Post1461 Belvidere, Il….American Legion, Post 77
Belvidere, Il….The Chosin Few, National Fraternity of Honor…Korea War Veterans
Association, Greater Rockford Chapter 272…Loyal Order of Moose, Belvidere, Il.
Lodge 295…United Transportation Union (UTU)Local 1421.

He is presided in
death by his father (1971), his mother (1989), his mother & father in-law,
and his nephew William H. Garrett (2017)

He remembered well his
school classmates, fellow workers, those whom he served with in the Army, and
relatives through their advice and examples…he felt he had come through life on
"shoulders of giants." His love for Linn, John, and Julie are what made him
respected and motivated to do good in always.

The visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL, 61008. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 30, 2019 at St. James Catholic Church, 402 Church St., Belvidere, IL, 61008 Rev. Brian Geary will be officiating . The Burial will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 31, 2019. . To light a candle or write a condolence, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com.