Francis “Manny” Gerhart of Kane, PA passed away peacefully at his residence and went home to be with the Lord early Saturday morning, November 26, 2022.  

Manny was born in Leeper, Pennsylvania on July 7, 1935.  He was the son of Louis L. and Sarah Heasley  Gerhart Sr., and the brother to ten siblings.

Manny, a lifetime resident of Kane graduated from the Kane Area High School in 1954.  He was an avid basketball player and part of the 1953-54 District Champion basketball team.  He married his beloved wife of 61 years, Donna (Dunkle) on August 12, 1961.

On April 1, 1958 through March 16, 1960 he was enlisted in the United States Army where he was stationed in Germany as a clerk.  Manny’s “claim to fame” was meeting Elvis Presley while stationed overseas and loved to share this story.  Manny eventually transferred from active duty into the Army National Guard serving for three years in Company D, (Forward Support), 728th Maintenance Battalion, 28th Infantry Division located in Kane, as an Ordnance Supply Specialist.  While serving in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, he attained the rank of Specialist 4 prior to receiving an Honorable Discharge from the military.

Manny was a supervisor at Houston Electronics Corporation in Kane both prior to and after his military enlistment until the company closed in the 1990s.  He then enjoyed driving for IU9 across local towns during his early retirement years.  

Manny was a true sports enthusiast.  Whether rooting for the Kane Wolves, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins he enjoyed watching almost any kind of sporting event, many times watching multiple games simultaneously by flipping the TV channels to keep track of scores.  He participated in fantasy football pools with friends and had his name added to the trophy after winning the pool on a couple occasions.  He loved the community of Kane and could often be found having coffee with friends and visiting local shops.  His quick-witted humorous remarks will be missed by everyone.

More than anything, Manny was extremely proud of and loved spending time with his twin daughters and six grandchildren.  “Papa” was his family’s rock and will greatly be missed by them.

Manny is survived by his wife, Donna, twin daughters, Lori A. Trunzo of Pittsburgh, PA; Lisa M. McCord and her husband Alan of Hollsopple, PA; six grandchildren, Laurel (Pierotti) and Dylan Hyman, Kaleb Pierotti, Kyle Pierotti, Kieran Pierotti, all of Pittsburgh; Kristen McCord and Amber McCord of Hollsopple, PA; one sister Pearl “Sissy” Benson of Kane; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers Louis, Milton, Thomas, Frank, Robert and John; and three sisters Jane Reed, Gloria Swanson and Martha Kwiatowski.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com.

The family requests donations be made in honor of Manny’s memory to either the First United Methodist Church of Kane or the Kane Volunteer Fire Department.  

The Cummings Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of services.