Gerald E. Arehart, 86


Gerald Eugene "Jake" Arehart, 86, of Grottoes, died Friday morning, June 8, 2007, in Rockingham Memorial Hospital, where he had been admitted earlier in the day.

He was born July 27, 1920, in Rockbridge Baths, and was a son of the late Homer Alexander and Connie Botkin Arehart.

Mr. Arehart was a retired farmer, a retired mechanic employed by Whitesel Brothers and a retired driver for the Harrisonburg Auto Auction. He was a member of the Mount Olive Brethren Church. He was a veteran of World War II.

On May 22, 1943, he married the former Georgie Isabel Downs, who died Oct. 28, 2006.

He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Nancy A. and Alvin L. Layne of Grottoes; two grandchildren, Jerry L. Layne of Glasgow and Sherri L. Hinkle of Fulks Run; five great-grandchildren, Kansas Layne, Janie Layne, Madison Hinkle, Jesse Layne and Walker Hinkle; three stepgreat-grandchildren, Bobby Roseberry, Laci Roseberry, and Kierra Roseberry; three sisters, O’dell Estes of Crimora, Mary Bell Smith and Connie Botkin, both of Staunton.

Graveside services will be conducted Monday afternoon, June 11, 2007, at 2 o’clock in the Mount Olive Cemetery in Pineville by the Rev. Fredric G. Miller, Father Stuart C. Wood and Sam Mitchell. Mr. Arehart’s family will receive friends at the home of his daughter at any time. Friends may also call at the Kyger-Pence Funeral Home of McGaheysville.