J. Philip Gehres

The Reverend J. Philip Gehres, of Newark, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Arden Courts of Wilmington, Delaware.  He was 84.

Born in Huntington, West Virginia, Phil was raised in Lancaster, Ohio, and attended Ohio Northern University.  He pursued a calling to the ministry and served his first parish as a student pastor of Harrod (Ohio) Methodist Church.  In 1955 he relocated to the New York Conference of the Methodist Church where he served churches in the Grand Gorge circuit while completing his Master of Divinity degree at Drew University in New Jersey. 

Reverend Gehres lived in Hobart, New York, for 18 years while serving as pastor of the Hobart and Township United Methodist Churches.  In 1978 he accepted a call to the Floral Park United Methodist Church in Floral Park, New York, where he remained for 18 years.  He retired to Delaware in 1996 with his beloved wife, Gerry, who predeceased him in September of this year. 

A very active and dedicated member of the Lions Club International both in New York and Delaware for many years, Phil was especially proud of his volunteer service as a courier for Lions Eye Bank and his tenure as district chaplain.

Phil and his wife traveled extensively throughout the United States, completing several cross-country "Road Trips" along the Route 66, Route 50, Route 40, and US 30 corridors, as well as many coastal tours of lighthouses.

He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Gerry Gehres; his parents, Joseph and Ina Gehres; his sisters Hope Johnson and Judy Doner; his brother David Gehres; and his son Stephen Gehres.

Phil leaves behind his son Mark Gehres and his wife Jen of Ocean Springs, MS; daughter Rebecca Gehres of Hurst, TX; daughter Elizabeth Lukacs and her husband Tom of South River, NJ; daughter Deborah Van Varick and her husband John of Newton, NJ; daughter-in-law Donna Gehres of Euless, TX; sister Winnie Rathbun and her husband Gary of Cleveland, OH; brother Gene Gehres and his wife Patricia of Las Vegas, NV; 6 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. 

A private graveside service was held on Wednesday, November 29th, at the historic Barratt’s Chapel Cemetery in Frederica, Delaware, honoring his life-long affiliation with the Methodist Church.  Arrangements were under the direction of Pippin Funeral Home.

Friends may honor Phil's years in the ministry and his dedicated service to the Lions Club International by making a memorial contribution to their local church or Lions Club.

Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

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