Harold "Ike" Gehringer, Jr. Obituary

Harold 'Ike' Edward Gehringer, Jr., 74, of Mio, peacefully departed this life, on July 14, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Ike was born in Bay City in 1951, to the late Harold 'Ike' Edward Gehringer, Sr. and Pauline Audrey (LaBerge) Gehringer. Ike graduated from Bay City Central in 1969 and then joined the U.S. Navy in 1970. He was stationed at a naval air station as a firefighter in crash & rescue. After his service years, he worked at Prestolite in Bay City until their closing in 1988. Ike married his high school sweetheart on October 17, 1981, and they have called Oscoda County their home since 1989. He worked at Kneeland Industries until his retirement. Ike served as a firefighter in Oscoda County for over 35 years, with the last 25 at the Tri-Town Fire Department. He loved being able to help people in the community, and never met a stranger. Ike worked for many years as a starter at several stock car tracks, including Standish, Whittemore, and Tri-City Speedway in Auburn. He was well-known as 'the man with the flags'. He also loved being in the woods, whether it was hunting, usually with his family, or foraging for mushrooms. Above all, he loved spending time with his family, whether it was just sitting around and talking, or playing a mean game of euchre or bitch rummy. His incredible wealth of knowledge and commitment to his family and friends will be sorely missed. Ike is survived by his loving ("But argumentative") wife, Lynn (Sanders) Gehringer; children, Melanie (Robert "Dumbass") Iwinski, Lisa Gehringer, James Gehringer, Christie Jo Thompson, and "daughter" Michelle Miller; grandchildren, Gabriel Rahn, Allison Rahn, Sasha Gehringer, and Charlotte Gehringer; siblings, Andy (Roxanne) Barrera, John (Joyce) Gehringer, Dorothy Cundy, Andrew Gehringer, Laura Roth, Nancy Lewis, Dawn Lederer, Gloria Harris, sister-in-law, Deborah Gehringer, son-in-law, Christopher Rahn, and brother-in-law, Mark Lewis, many nieces, nephews, and friends. Missing him also are their cats Gilly, Bailey, Sheba, and Cami dog.
Ike was preceded in death by his daughter, Candy, brother, Donald Gehringer, brother, Richard Barrera, and sister-in-law, Linda Gehringer. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place.

There will be a Celebration of Ike's Life on Sunday, July 27th, from 2-4pm at the Mio Community Center, 305 East 9th Street, Mio, MI 48647

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