William E. Gelhaar

William E. “Bill” Gelhaar, 77, of Carthage, passed away on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.

Bill was born February 26, 1941, the son of Loren and Lucille (Beard) Gelhaar, in Davenport, Iowa.  He graduated from Carthage High School in 1959.  He then went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Knox College and his Master’s Degree in Physics from the University of Chicago.  Bill also received his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army.  On March 31, 1963, he was united in marriage to Virginia McCammon at the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage.  She preceded him in death on April 14, 1982.  On December 26, 1983, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Duncan Tucker at the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage. 

Bill had worked for the Xerox Corporation in California before coming back to Carthage to help his father at the Carthage Elevator.  He was also part owner of Horizon’s Computer in Carthage and had taught computer classes at Carl Sandburg College.  Bill had started building computers in the 1970s.  Bill lived and breathed music and was the First Presbyterian Choir director for over forty years.  He also played piano those years for the church services, weddings and funerals.  He played the piano every night before bed and Scott Joplin was his favorite composer.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kathleen, of Carthage; three children, David (Lisa) Gelhaar of Newport News, Virginia, Anne (Eric) Martin of Carthage and Jimmy Gelhaar of Lakewood, Colorado; a step-daughter, Mary (Greg) McLaughlin of Winterville, North Carolina; grandchildren, Michael (Amy) and Timothy Gelhaar, Taryn (Keith) Mellert, Kirstin (Colten Protsman) Martin, Reece and Owen Martin and Allyson and Taylor (Jshulie) Gelhaar; step-grandchildren, Amber (Brandon) Wilson and Kimberly (Michael) Burns; great grandchildren, Erin and Trey Gelhaar, Hayes Mellert, Olivia and Jack McLaughlin, Brent Wilson and Eleanor Burns; also one sister, Susan (Dick) Conklin of Carthage.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Virginia; a nine month old son, Jonathan in 1968; and a step-daughter, Margaret Tucker earlier in March of this year.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, August 26, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Saturday evening at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage.  Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Carthage.   Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.

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