Charles Leonard Gerber

BRUCE CROSSING, Mich. — Charles “Pete or Sonny” Leonard Gerber Jr., 85, passed away on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Menominee, with his family by his side.

Charles was born on Jan. 18, 1937, to the late Charles and Dorothy (Hatfield) Gerber. Charles attended Ewen Schools before serving in the U.S. Navy. After serving in the military, he returned to Bruce Crossing, and married Evelyn Maki on June 21, 1958. They remained in Bruce Crossing sharing 63 beautiful years together.

He worked for the Ontonagon County Road Commission and later for the U.S. Forest Service.

Faith and family were important to Charles as he was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ewen, where he had served on the parish council. He was also active in the community as he served on the Ewen-Trout Creek school board and was an active member of the American Legion Post 0041.

Charles is survived by his wife, Evelyn; their six children, Charles (Julie), Scott (Cindy), Steven (Melanie), Paula (David) Johnson, Tracy (Brett) Niemi and Father Brian; grandchildren, Jason, Alyssa, Anna, Victoria, Jamie, Courtney, Tyler, Christina, Jessica, Meghan, Taylor and Molly; in addition to 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Hazel (Wally) Lannet; and a brother, Donald (Joyce) Gerber.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Jean (Louie) Johnson, Charlotte (Clifford) Niemi and Barbara (Bill) Anderson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 7, at 1 p.m., EST, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ewen, with Father Brian Gerber as the celebrant.

A fellowship luncheon will be held at the Ewen Centennial Hall immediately following the service.

A spring burial will be scheduled at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ewen.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with their arrangements. To send online condolences please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.