Gering, Harvey C. (1915-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Nov 26 p. 1

Birth date: 1915 Jan 10

text of obituary:

Car-Truck Accident Fatal to couple

SERVICES HELD AT FREEMAN, S. D. FORMER. AND MRS. HARVEY GERING

Freeman, S. D. — Double funeral services were held at the Salem Mennonite church near here for Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Gering of Washington, D. C., who were instantly killed Nov. 14 when their car crashed into a semi-trailer truck which jack-knifed on a narrow ridge near Dubuque, Iowa. The services were in charge of Rev. J. Herbert Fretz, the pastor.

Mr. Gering, 44, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Gering of Freeman. Mrs. Gering, 37, was the former Ethyleen Coleman of Aurora, Mo.

The Gerings, both employed in the Government Printing Office in Washington, were en route home after visiting relatives here when the fatal accident occurred.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Dec 3 p. 8

text of obituary:

HARVEY AND ETHYLEEN GERING

Ethyleen Coleman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Coleman, was born April 8, 1922 in Aurora, Mo. She spent her childhood in Aurora and received her elementary education there. Later she attended college and taught school Ethyleen joined the Baptist church at Aurora and remained a life-long member.

In 1943 she left for Washington, D. C. where she did secretarial work at the Government Printing Office. there she met Harvey Gering and they were married June 4, 1958.

Harvey Clair Gering, son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Gering, was born Jan. 10, 1915 in Freeman, S. Dak. there he received his elementary education and attended Freeman Jr. college. He also attended Yankton college and Bethel college. Being an eager student, Harvey took advantage of special courses in French, a linotype machinist course, and others.

He was baptized Sept. 30, 1928 and joined the Salem Mennonite church near Freeman, remaining a life-long member. Four years form 1942 to 1946, were spent in Army service. In 1947 he started working at the Government Printing Office in Washington, D. C. and after his marriage to Ethyleen Coleman they both continued work there until 1951. They then moved to Freeman where Harvey joined his brother Glenn in the Pine Hill Printery business. In 1956 Ethyleen and Harvey again accepted a call from the Government Printing Office in Washington, D. C. and both had responsible positions. Their home was in nearby Hyattsville, Maryland.

Their wide variety of interests and abilities and their quiet and unobtrusive way of doing things for people was a constant joy to relatives and friends. Harvey found great pleasure and relaxation in such things as creating and listening to music, and reading books, especially on travel and philosophy. He taught in Sunday School. Ethyleen was a fine homemaker and by sharing her knowledge and using her talents to help others she enriched the lives of her associates.

On Nov. 14, 1959 Ethyleen and Harvey were both instantly killed in a car-truck accident near Dubuque, Iowa. They were on their way home after a vacation spent with relatives and friends first in Missouri and then in South Dakota. Ethyleen died at the age of 37 years, seven months and six days; Harvey at 44 years, 10 months and four days.

Surviving Ethyleen Coleman Gering are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Coleman, one brother, Ernest Coleman and wife, one niece and one uncle, William Coleman, all of Missouri.

Surviving Harvey Clair Gering are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Gering; one sister Mabel and husband Albert Graber; two brothers, Vernon Gering and wife Vivian; two nieces and five nephews. One nephew, Lawrence Graber, preceded him in accidental death about two years ago. They leave a host of relatives and friends.