Obituary of John Gehrig

John R. Gehrig, 85, passed away on February 23, 2009. He was born in Pine Grove, PA on January 27, 1924. John was a veteran of WWII as a member of the Army Air Corps. He was a member of the 55th Fighter group and a pilot of the P-51 Mustang. He flew for 51 dangerous missions and was awarded many medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following the war, John put himself through night school and studied banking. He became Vice President at Philadelphia National Bank and then moved to Jacksonville in1964 as President of the American Arlington Bank. He later worked as Administrator at the Southside Nursing Home. Rather than retire completely, he worked weekends selling jewelry as a hobby until he was in his eighties. John is survived by his loving wife, Myrtle, of 62 years; his children, Gail (Mike Kovach) and Joyce Schneider (Dave) and his granddaughter, Katie. Family will receive friends on Friday, February 27, 2009, 6-8 pm at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida. A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 11:00 am at the funeral home. John was the epitome of the "Greatest Generation". He was a good man and giving Husband, Dad, Pappy, and friend. John will be dearly missed by all those fortunate enough to have known him.