Virginia Lou (Ernst) Gerhart

Virginia Lou (Ernst) Gerhart, 94,  passed away peacefully at Stein Hospice Care Center, late Thursday morning, December 21st with her family by her side.  Virginia was born in Sandusky, Ohio on February 8th, 1929, the daughter of Clifford Franklin and Helen Margaret (Dillon) Ernst.  She grew up there, graduating from Sandusky High School in 1946 and Summa Cum Laude from Sienna Heights College in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in music.  A talented pianist who taught music in elementary schools in Sandusky and Akron before marrying Gregory Gerhart on June 27, 1953 and starting a family a year later. 

Virginia is survived by her six children, Julie (Gary) Ferber, Ellen (Jim) Schumacher, Kathy Fisher, Patty (Jeff) Volz, Ed Gerhart, and Jim (Diana) Gerhart, 17 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Virginia was very involved in the lives of her family, making sure she was present at their baptisms, First Holy Communions, birthday parties, athletic competitions, graduations, and weddings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gregory, in 2010.  Additionally, her parents, Helen and Clifford Ernst, and sister, Mary Busam, brother-in-law, Bill Busam, and son-in-law Scott Fisher.

Actively volunteering in the community, with Meals on Wheels, Providence (eventually Firelands) Hospital, Ohio Veterans Home, and St Mary's Church, Virginia was dedicated to serving others.

She loved to travel, especially with her family, traveling on cruises through Australia, the Amazon, the Mediterranean, and down the Rhine and Seine Rivers (even in 2017 at the age of 88!). She also visited Rome, The Holy Land, Lourdes, and Fatima. 

Virginia's faith never wavered, as she had a true devotion to her Catholic faith. She was beloved by many and will be missed as we remember the impact her kind and generous heart had on so many.

Visitation will be held  on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, from 4-7 pm at the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  Prayers will be recited Wednesday morning, December 27, 2023 at 9:30 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at Sts. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Avenue, Sandusky.  Fr. Zach Brown officiating.  Entombment will be in the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, Sandusky. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Stein Hospice Service, Inc. at 1200 Sycamore Line, in Sandusky, OH 44870 or to Sandusky Central Catholic School at 410 West Jefferson in Sandusky, OH 44870.

Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Virginia's family at davidfkoch.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virginia Lou (Ernst) Gerhart, please visit our floral store.