Blake W. Gerber, age 88, passed away on July 22, 2012. He was born April 28,1924 in rural Tuscarawas County, Oh. Survived by sons, Larry and Mark (Susan) Columbus; daughter, Sue (Kim) Ponto, Gambier, Oh; granddaughter, Jessica and April Ponto; sister-in-law, Joan Gerber, Lady Lake, Fl; friends, Helen Fijalkowski, Jason Christiansen. Preceded in death by parents Richard and Emma, first wife Jean, second wife Sandra, brother Joe. Blake attended Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School, The Ohio State Univ., Syracuse Univ., Univ. of Illinois, American Management Assn. He served in the military 3 years; earning 5 bronze stars as WWII army Infantryman in Europe. Blake was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bethel Bible Study group, Ohio Farm Bureau, Upper Arlington Senior Center. His commendations include Distinguished Service Award from Ohio Fruit Grower's Society and Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers Assn; Citations for service: Gov. Richard Celeste; Ohio Dept. of Agriculture; Ohio General Assembly. During his working life (41 years) he held sales and leadership positions in organizations that represented farmers and their causes. He began his career in 1947 as a Petroleum Salesman for the Tuscarawas Co., Farm Bureau Cooperative. When he retired in 1988, he was serving simultaneously as Executive Director for both the Ohio Fruit Growers and Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers and Director of Contract Services for the Ohio Farm Bureau. From 1952 to 1980 he was a Farm Bureau Organization Director, Regional Supervisor and Program Development Director. He also conducted farmer trade missions to Europe, Asia, and South America. Friends may call Thursday 10-11 a.m. with service to follow at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 766 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43206. Pastor Larry Kudart officiating. Private Interment Friday at Dover Burial Park, Dover, OH. Family suggests memorials to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Cemetery Details Dover Burial Park 5651 N. Wooster Ave, Ext NW Doer, OH 44622 Loading map Previous Events Visitation JUL 26. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET) Zion Evangelical Lutheran 766 South High Street Columbus, OH 43206 Loading map Memorial Service JUL 26. 11:00 AM (ET) Zion Evangelical Lutheran 766 South High Street Columbus, OH 43206 Loading map