Richard Gerst

Richard D. Gerst, age 54, of Four Oaks, North Carolina, formerly of Caldwell, Ohio, died Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at his home. He was born March 10, 1964, in Zanesville, Ohio, son of Dennis F. and Elaine Marie Urdak Gerst of Caldwell. He was a 1982 graduate of Caldwell High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball, and he attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He was General Manager for Showcase Restoration in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and he formerly owned and operated a Stanley Steemer franchise, having worked as a general manager for the Stanley Steemer Corporation for over 20 years. Rick attended St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Clayton, North Carolina. He was a former member of the Bass Masters Club, and he was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns fan. He loved fishing, golfing, and hunting, and he was devoted to his family. He loved being a grandpa.     In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Karen Lynn Hillyer Gerst, whom he married July 19, 1991; one daughter, Amber Elaine (Anthony) Monsegur of Holly Ridge, North Carolina; his siblings, Carol Elaine Schmidt of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Mark Anthony (Theresa) Gerst of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania; two grandsons, Parker Franco and Jordan Philip Dennis Monsegur; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.     Friends may call Friday, July 13, 2018, from 4:00PM-7:00PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street in Caldwell, where a Christian Scripture Service will conclude visitation at 7:00PM. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be observed Saturday, July 14th at 10:00AM at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Caldwell with Rev. Fr. Wayne Morris as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Duke Career Institute – Office of Development, 710 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina, 27701. Please designate the contribution to the DRAH DCI Fund.     Announcements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Four Oaks, NC.