Henry Joseph Gebert, 73, of Pinebluff, passed Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, in Pinehurst.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Southern Pines, with the Rev. Msgr. Jeffrey A. Ingham officiating. Rite of committal, with military honors, will follow in Pinebluff Cemetery, in Pinebluff. A vigil for the deceased was held from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines, with a prayer vigil starting at 3 p.m.
Mr. Gebert was born Aug. 30, 1937, in Danbury, Conn., to the late Walter Gebert and Lena Troccola Gebert. He served his country following the Korean conflict as U.S. Army Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division. He served as a police officer in Danbury, Conn., and was injured in the line of duty while performing his duties on the job.
Mr. Gebert was a beloved husband and friend. He was devoted in his following of the Faith of the Eternal Word Television Network and the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word. He was a grand knight and district deputy of Msgr. Koch Council 6528 in Southern Pines.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Mary Laverne Gebert; two sons, Wayne and Henry Gebert, of Connecticut; a daughter, Tracie Gebert, of Connecticut; a brother, Walter Gebert and wife, Joan, of Connecticut; a sister, Madeline Mongillo and husband, Nick, of Florida; godsons, Jerry Troccola, of Connecticut, and Nick Mongillo Jr., of Florida; a close cousin, Donald Troccola and wife, Gerry, of Connecticut; close friends Parmy and Marina Sanchez and family, of New York, Joan and Al Barns, of Southern Pines, and Bill Scales and Laura Carr-Scales, of Pinebluff; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and close personal family friends. He was preceded in death by a son, David Gebert; and a sister, Lorraine Sutter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, 5821 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210. Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.