Evelyn Virginia Gerke

EVELYN V. GERKE, 92, of Fort Wayne, died on Monday, May 12, 2014, in Richmond, Va. She was an executive secretary for 27 years and retired in 1978. A war bride, she was married in 1943 in Walla Walla, Wash. Evelyn was a charter member of Zion Girls club, a lover of all things chocolate, especially Hershey's chocolate bars, a fast walker at Gayton Terrace, and a good and faithful steward. She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Gerke (Tedd) Povar; grandson, Matthew Johnson (significant other, Celinda Gardner) of Atlanta, Ga.; grandson, Philip (Lisa) Johnson of Mooseheart, Ill.; granddaughter, Laura (Akins) Lawal of Alexandria, Va.; four great-grandchildren, Kadin and Haley Johnson, Isaiah and Aderemi Lawal; brother-in-law, Mel Schwartz; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard R. Gerke; parents, Fred and Frieda (Brudi) Kruse; and a sister, Marjory Schwartz. Funeral service is 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1505 Bethany Lane, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2014, at Hockemeyer - Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne. Burial in Concordia Cemetery Gardens, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind., St. John Lutheran Church, Emporia, Va., or Lutheran Social Services of Indiana, Fort Wayne, Ind. For online condolences, please visit www.hockemeyer millerfh.com