Keith J. Gehle, 66, of Rockford, Ohio, died unexpectedly at 7:27 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012, at Van Wert County Hospital.  He was born May 19, 1945, in Celina, Ohio, to the late Al and Florence (Leugers) Gehle.  He graduated from Marion Local Schools in 1963.  On August 27, 1966, he married Margaret M. Homan, who survives in Rockford.  In 1976, he founded Gehle Transport, Inc., from which he retired in 2007.  With his family and friends, he loved boating, camping, riding his motorcycle, and driving his Corvette.  Mr. Gehle was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church, Rockford.  He was a life-time member of the Shanes Aerie #1292 Rockford Eagles; a 25-year member of the Knights of Columbus, Celina; a member of the Moose Lodge in Van Wert and Celina; and a member of the Sons of the Legion, Post #508 in Rockford.

Surviving in addition to his wife, are two sons and two daughters:  Steve (Missy) Gehle of Rockford;  Jennifer Brandt of Rockford; Jim (April) Gehle of Lawrenceburg, Indiana; and Marie Gehle of Evans, Georgia.  He was preceded in death by a son, Allen Gehle.  One daughter-in-law, Kim (Ralph) Gehle-Forbes of Salt Lake City, Utah, also survives.  Also surviving are one brother, Richard (Kay) Gehle, Lakeland, Florida; three sisters:  Audry Jean Meiring, Sharpsburg, Ohio; Betty Nieman, Alexandria, Virginia; and Karen (Chett) Moore, Armona, California; and two sisters-in-law, Anna Maria Gehle, Rome, Italy and Myrna Gigandet, Versailles, Ohio.  He was the proud grandfather of 11:  Connor, Kaylee, Emily, and Joshua Gehle, of Rockford; Joey and Allison Brandt of Rockford; Trey and Trenton Gehle of Lawrenceburg, Indiana; Tyler Gehle of Evans, Georgia; and Lena Rose and Hayden Forbes of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Mr. Gehle’s mother-in-law, Bernie Homan, of St. Henry; six sister-in-laws and two brother-in-laws and their spouses, also survive.

Mr. Gehle was preceded in death by three brothers, Duane, David, and Delaine; one sister, Patty; his father-in-law, Alfred Homan; and three brother-in-laws, Tom Meiring, Frank Nieman, and Jim Foote.

Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Rockford with Rev. Ken Alt officiating.  Friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.  The Rockford Eagles will have a service at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, followed by a short prayer service at 7:30 pm. and memory sharing by family and friends.  A private graveside burial will be held for the family.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The St. Teresa’s Church or Shane’s Park-Leota Braun Foundation.

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