Mr. Dennis D. Gearhart, 67, of Akron, passed away at 09:22 AM, Tuesday, March 5 , 2019 at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne.

On January 11 , 1952, Dennis Devon Gearhart was born in Rochester.  He was a treasured son of to Gerald and Arlene Holloway Gearhart.  Growing up  he shared his childhood with a sister Sandra and brother Tim.  During his high school years he was a vibrant member of the Future Farmers of America Championship soil judging team. In 1970 he graduated from North Miami High School.

At Rochester's Grace United Methodist Church, Dennis married the love of his life Miss Trillia Kae Azbell,  on March 8 , 1980.  They shared nearly 39 years of life's adventures.  From their union came three wonderful children Ashley, Emily and Cory.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of four grandchildren.

With a strong work ethic, Dennis was dedicated to Sonoco Products of Akron, working for over 45 years retiring in 2018.  He enjoyed a life long love for farming.  Many years he oversaw the operation of a fine herd of Holstein Dairy-Beef feeder calves,  bottle feeding them 50 - 60 at a time.  Dennis also raised Suffolk Sheep and farrowed cross-bred pigs.  The crops of  beans and corn complimented his livestock operation.  Each spring he could be seen plowing then disking the fields on board his shiny red 1977,  1085 Massey tractor.  It was a great multipurpose tractor for pulling wagons or planting.

A man of great taste for dining out, Dennis enjoyed Mentone's Teel's Restaurant or going south to Akron's Fluff.  He loved attending fish fry's and the annual 4th of July Henry Township fireman's breakfast.  Back in the day, his first stop after getting off at Sonoco was heading to Stephen's garage to catch up on the latest and flipping for a soda with George or Mike.

Enjoying the element of competition,  Dennis loved playing  Super Nintendo and with family and friends he took great joy with the challenges of euchre.  To relax he watched AG  Day on TV or religiously read the Farmer's Exchange which he was the proud owner of saving many volumes over the years.

Paramount in his life was his precious family.  Grandpa Dennis was proud to oversee three generations.  He loved and adored his grandchildren always attending sporting contests, school concerts and academic competitions.  Grandpa always had two big pocketfuls of  Brach's Starlite candy striped mints that he enjoyed and was always ready to share.  With great versatility, Grandpa Dennis always looked forward to playing Barbies and Candyland with Hailey.  There was nothing better than his family getting together making memories at special family celebrations and the holidays.

Left to cherish Dennis's memory are  his wife, Trillia; two daughters: Ashley Craft and husband Chris of Akron, Pastor Emily Gearhart of Leiters Ford; a son, Cory Gearhart and companion Ashley Moore  of Burket; four grandchildren: Alex Craft, Hunter Craft, Derek Craft, Hailey Craft; a sister, Sandra Gearhart of Akron; a brother, Tim Gearhart and wife Diane of Macy; mother-in-law, Berdene R. Azbell; sister-in-law, Mila Barts of Rochester; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Dennis in death are his parents, and father-in -law, Maurice Azbell on March 14 , 2011.

Pastor Butch Troke will officiate services.  Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.