John H. Gehde

John Herbert Gehde, II, age 87, of West Salem, formerly of Cassville, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2018, at Lakeview Health Center, West Salem. He was born on July 3, 1930, in Fond du Lac, the son of John H. and Charlotte M. (Berry) Gehde, Sr. John served his country in the United States Air Force from 1950 until his honorable discharge in 1952. On May 5, 1951, John was united in marriage to Joan I. Kriks at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fond du Lac. The couple moved to Cassville in 1959. John was employed at Wisconsin Power and Light for 35 years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church and the Cassville Rescue Squad. John could talk to anyone and tell stories for hours with his unending pool of knowledge. He enjoyed the Cassville Farmers Market, sitting with friends and popping popcorn first thing in the morning and bringing the Amish to sell their baked goods. John also enjoyed making jewelry and beautiful stain glass pieces, buying and selling paperweights and specialty glass pieces, and the adventures of the outdoors.
Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Joan; their children: Thomas (Elaine) Gehde, Cassville; James (Terri) Gehde, Ona, WV; Timothy (Cindy) Gehde, Genoa; Susan (Rod) Kirschbaum, Kenosha; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a son, John H. Gehde, III; a sister, Mary Lou (Ralph) Damm; and a brother, James M. (Shirley) Gehde.
Private family graveside services will be in St. Charles Cemetery, Cassville at a later date. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Cassville is serving the family.