Francis Charles Gehrke

Francis Charles Poncho Gehrke, age 82, of Oshkosh, died on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center. He was born on March 11, 1929 in the Town of Rushford the son of Fred and Cleo Morenus Gehrke and was a 1947 graduate of Oshkosh High School. He served in the United States Army between 1951 and 1953, specifically as an instructor at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He married Jean Sommerfeldt of Oshkosh on May 29, 1953, and was also a member of the Oshkosh Comets football teams of the late 1940s and early 1950s, particularly the Wisconsin State League championship team of 1949.Francis joined the Oshkosh Police Department in 1959 and rose through the ranks to be appointed Assistant Deputy Chief of Police in 1982 before his retirement in 1990. He was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church and enjoyed bike riding, fishing, golf, listening to music and travelling to see his children.Francis was preceded in death by his son Stefan, his parents, his sisters Jane Martin and June Swisher, and brother Fred. He is survived by his wife Jean, brother Don, daughter Lise (Steve) Griese of Annapolis, Maryland, and sons Franz Gehrke of Los Angeles, California, Maxim (Christine) Gehrke of Sanger, Texas, and Jules of Saginaw, Michigan. Grandchildren are Brandon Gehrke of Sanger and Cassandra Griese of Annapolis.A family service will be held at the Lakeview Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA, 15650-2690.I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.II Timothy, chap. 4:7

Lake View Memorial Park



2786 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Sunday, August 14, 2011
noon - service



Lake View Memorial Park



2786 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Sunday, August 14, 2011
1:00 p.m.



Lake View Memorial Park



2786 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901